Next Prime Minister

[AlterEgo]

Officially a press conference has been called where it's believed Leadsom will stand down.

Officially that was the case, but I was in a position to report that as definite news at the time.

 

[TheKnightWho]

I usually avoid conspiracy theories, but the successive disappearances of Johnson, Gove and then Leadsome just seem far too convenient. It certainly looks like someone with power is pulling strings, but I don't think it's likely to be the EU.

Each of them campaigned for what they didn't want, which was the EU. When it came to proposing what they did want they all found that they didn't have anything like the backing of all Brexiters.

That's why they've all dropped out.

 

[Busaholic]

'A week is a long time in politics' - Harold Wilson, then P.M., in 1964.

With the centenary of Roald Dahl's birth upon us, BBC radio has been dramatizing some of his short stories, which usually have twists at the end and are very often concerned with characters getting their just desserts, which happens so rarely in life, let alone political life. I feel Johnson, Gove and Leadsom have got their just desserts, perhaps with whipped cream on top in the case of at least one of them. Schadenfreude: perhaps we should ask Mrs Farage or Gisella Stuart to explain to us precisely the definition of that word in English.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

'A week is a long time in politics' - Harold Wilson, then P.M., in 1964.
I feel Johnson, Gove and Leadsom have got their just desserts, perhaps with whipped cream on top in the case of at least one of them. Schadenfreude: perhaps we should ask Mrs Farage or Gisella Stuart to explain to us precisely the definition of that word in English.

very good!!

 

[northwichcat]

She's p.m. on Wednesday.

Wednesday evening, allows Cameron to do one last PMQs.

 

[Garmoran]

Each of them campaigned for what they didn't want, which was the EU. When it came to proposing what they did want they all found that they didn't have anything like the backing of all Brexiters.

That's why they've all dropped out.

Fair enough. I'll just confine myself to shaking my head over the state of politics today.

 

[Groningen]

Wednesday evening, allows Cameron to do one last PMQs.

1 Final attack on Corbyn or just the otherwise around. How that new PM came down; looks more like the Chinese or North Korea style to get a new leader.

 

[miami]

1 Final attack on Corbyn or just the otherwise around. How that new PM came down; looks more like the Chinese or North Korea style to get a new leader.

Same way Brown became PM.

At least Major won an election (both to be PM - against Thatcher, and then won again in 1992 - against all predictions)

 

[Busaholic]

Same way Brown became PM.

Theresa May apparently spoke out against Brown becoming PM without an election first. Heaven forfend she would do the same herself.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Can't help thinking that there is something more behind Leadsom's abrupt withdrawal.

 

[Harbornite]

Can't help thinking that there is something more behind Leadsom's abrupt withdrawal.

Lies on her CV, taxes and the fallout from her interview. I also don't think her stance on homosexuality was ideal, but they haven't made much of a difference either way.

 

[richw]

Can't help thinking that there is something more behind Leadsom's abrupt withdrawal.

Somewhere on the BBC yesterday i read there were threats made against her family.
Her deeply religious views are best left in the past as well and not suitable for a PM, being deeply against homosexuality is not appropriate for a modern day PM. The more I read her views the more she seems like a less outspoken version of Trump.

 

[DarloRich]

Theresa May apparently spoke out against Brown becoming PM without an election first. Heaven forfend she would do the same herself.

however she doesn't have the ability to call a "snap" election - That can only happen if parliament passes a vote of no confidence in itself.

 

[TheKnightWho]

however she doesn't have the ability to call a "snap" election - That can only happen if parliament passes a vote of no confidence in itself.

Or with a 2/3 majority in favour.

 

[Butts]

however she doesn't have the ability to call a "snap" election - That can only happen if parliament passes a vote of no confidence in itself.

It would be interesting to see the result of May v Corbyn. It might well illustrate that the electorate as a whole are more aligned to the thinking of the Parliamentary Labour Party rather than it's rank and file Membership.

 

[northwichcat]

Same way Brown became PM.

Not exactly the same. John McDonnell was the only person to attempt to challenge Brown but he failed to get enough nominations from his own party members. Gove got enough nominations but wasn't put forward to a member vote due to being the 3rd most popular candidate and the Conservative rules saying only 2 names can be put forward.

At Blair's final PMQs Cameron used all his opportunities to demand Labour calls a General Election.

 

[Butts]

Not exactly the same. John McDonnell was the only person to attempt to challenge Brown but he failed to get enough nominations from his own party members. Gove got enough nominations but wasn't put forward to a member vote due to being the 3rd most popular candidate and the Conservative rules saying only 2 names can be put forward.

At Blair's final PMQs Cameron used all his opportunities to demand Labour calls a General Election.

I think Labour despite all their protestations with regard to an immediate General Election being the order of the day are secretly pleased this is unlikely to happen.

 

[DarloRich]

Or with a 2/3 majority in favour.

aka passes a motion of no confidence

It would be interesting to see the result of May v Corbyn. It might well illustrate that the electorate as a whole are more aligned to the thinking of the Parliamentary Labour Party rather than it's rank and file Membership.

It would be a disaster.

 

[northwichcat]

aka passes a motion of no confidence

No it's written in to the act as a separate clause.

Section 2 of the Act also provides for two ways in which a general election can be held before the end of this five-year period:

- If the House of Commons resolves "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government", an early general election is held, unless the House of Commons subsequently resolves "That this House has confidence in Her Majesty's Government". This second resolution must be made within fourteen days of the first.
- If the House of Commons, with the support of two-thirds of its total membership (including vacant seats), resolves "That there shall be an early parliamentary general election".

 

[TheKnightWho]

aka passes a motion of no confidence

Not really. They are defined as two separate things if you read the relevant law here.

They aren't for all intents and purposes the same thing, either: in that section of the Act, the motion of no confidence can be reversed by a motion of confidence within 2 weeks, and it is not specified that each needs anything but a simply majority (s. 3, 4 & 5); a motion that an election should be held passing with a 2/3 majority seemingly cannot be reversed (s. 1 & 2).

 

[Western Lord]

It seems the cult of (relative) youth in politics is at an end. May will be the oldest Prime Minister to take office since Callaghan and before him you have to go back to Douglas-Home, Macmillan, Churchill and Attlee to find older PMs. What with Corbyn and the two US presidential candidates, bus pass politics rules!

 

[Andyjs247]

Labour famously left a note for the new government in 2010 to say there was no money left. What sort of note will Cameron leave for May? "Sorry for the mess" perhaps?????????????

 

[northwichcat]

Labour famously left a note for the new government in 2010 to say there was no money left. What sort of note will Cameron leave for May? "Sorry for the mess" perhaps ��

That note was a copy of one Conservative chancellor Reginald Maudling left for an incoming Labour government. However, Liam Byrne failed to realise doing the same when the original instance had been forgotten about could aid Cameron's PR.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

BBC Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar has said May's promises on becoming PM are like a compromise of Cameron's 2015 manifesto and Miliband's 2015 manifesto with a few new ideas thrown in.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Labour famously left a note for the new government in 2010 to say there was no money left. What sort of note will Cameron leave for May? "Sorry for the mess" perhaps?????????????

At the rate things are going, and if the Brexit causes Scotland to break away, the note the May Government leaves for it's successor might well read, "Sorry, there's no country left"

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Well, I see that people's imaginations on this thread have seen the expected increase in fertility levels and unlike them, I shall wait and see what actually occurs in the period after she becomes Prime Minister and actually deals with matters.

 

[DarloRich]

Not really. They are defined as two separate things if you read the relevant law here.

They aren't for all intents and purposes the same thing, either: in that section of the Act, the motion of no confidence can be reversed by a motion of confidence within 2 weeks, and it is not specified that each needs anything but a simply majority (s. 3, 4 & 5); a motion that an election should be held passing with a 2/3 majority seemingly cannot be reversed (s. 1 & 2).

apologies - I misread the extract of legislation - thanks for the clarification.

I doubt she calls an election - why bother giving up security of tenure when you are under no obligation to do so?

 

[northwichcat]

Justine Greening is rumoured to be getting a senior role in May's cabinet - obviously they think the Virgin West Coast fiasco, which caused Greening to be demoted, has been forgotten about by most people.

 

[Harbornite]

Labour famously left a note for the new government in 2010 to say there was no money left. What sort of note will Cameron leave for May? "Sorry for the mess" perhaps?����

He'll probably warn her to avoid any bacon that's left over in No. 10's fridge.

 

[AlterEgo]

Justine Greening is rumoured to be getting a senior role in May's cabinet - obviously they think the Virgin West Coast fiasco, which caused Greening to be demoted, has been forgotten about by most people.

I remember that very well, as I worked for Virgin at the time. It caused an exceptional amount of worry among everyone I worked with.

I hope she isn't lined up for a very senior brief like Home Secretary.

 

[backontrack]

Labour famously left a note for the new government in 2010 to say there was no money left. What sort of note will Cameron leave for May? "Sorry for the mess" perhaps?����

Probably, 'There are some chops in the fridge'.

EDIT: Darn! Beaten to it.