Which prime minister would you want in charge at the moment?

[Xuli]

You can chose any PM from recent memory, say about the 1979s.

After a convo with DH this morning we agreed that Blair might have managed this crisis the best, not that it's probably a great bunch to choose from...

I was musing on another thread about how a government with vision needs to invent a middle ground between Furlough and Universal Credit.

And it's just struck me that of course someone already did - Gordon Brown, tax crexits.

And Ian Duncan Smith destroyed it and three consecutive Tory PMs and one Lib Dem deputy PM let him. Idiots.

Blair, with Brown as chancellor sorting out the economy.

Surprised to see so few votes for John Major. I think it would be a close call between Brown and Major for me, with May in third place. All would have worked hard (no skipping cobra meetings and half arsed prep for PMQs) and I don’t think any were so driven by ego that they would have ignored scientific advice.

A half competent cabinet would also help. God help us with Patel, Gove, Hancock and the rest of the muppets.

May would have handled it better IMO and kept better relations with international leaders. Brown is an interesting one, and John Major is someone I've been more impressed with in recent years.

Johnson must be dizzy from the amount of U-turns he's made, his address on TV sounded suspiciously like him blaming us for following his advice - so I can see why Thatcher is getting suggested here, there was a woman who picked a line and stuck to it (U-turn if you want to, the lady's not for turning). Not always a good thing, but it might have worked better now I admit!

ABB (anyone but Boris).

Thatcher, May and then Blair.

I always feel a bit sorry for May - I don’t think she was given a chance.

Clement Attlee

Without the Brexit timing, May could have been a really strong PM

I think Rory Stewart would have been good with his experience in Iraq following the war you fell for that PR bollocks?!

Would love to know if anyone saying "Thatcher" is Scottish?!?! excellent point! Frankly I'd be surprised if any are from "north of the Watford gap" as we used to say!

A half competent cabinet would also help

Oh my god yes!

I’ve pondered at times starting a thread asking for the “ideal” cabinet selecting not only from politicians but other well known people, that’s where my Martin Lewis comment came from he’d be an excellent chancellor.

Clement Attlee we can but dream!

@PerditaNitt

Surprised to see so few votes for John Major. I think it would be a close call between Brown and Major for me, with May in third place. All would have worked hard (no skipping cobra meetings and half arsed prep for PMQs) and I don’t think any were so driven by ego that they would have ignored scientific advice.

A half competent cabinet would also help. God help us with Patel, Gove, Hancock and the rest of the muppets.

I totally forgot he existed when I did my list...

At least Thatcher was honest when she said there is 'no such thing as society' and 'it is our duty to look after ourselves'.

I think most tories still believe this but are not honest enough to admit it.

Thatcher would have done a better job than Johnson because she would have decided on a path and stuck to it and in doing so would have taken more of the country with her.

I would however have personally preferred either Brown, Blair or Major as I believe there is a role for the state in supporting people in times of need.

Thatcher or John Major

O that’s easy , Maggie - Margaret Thatcher

I would take any of them purely because they all had stronger cabinets. We desperately need a strong cabinet pulling together, not just a strong PM.

@Xuli

A Blair/Brown combo feels like it would have been good

Agreed

With Alistair Campbell doing his thing.

Cameron but it depends which side of him showed up. He would be either great or terrible at this situation

John Major - kind of bland but trustworthy and would get on with things

@Useruseruserusee

I would take any of them purely because they all had stronger cabinets. We desperately need a strong cabinet pulling together, not just a strong PM.

Christ, yes. I doubt even Maggie could wring decent work out of Hancock and Williamson

I would take any of them purely because they all had stronger cabinets. We desperately need a strong cabinet pulling together, not just a strong PM.

Good point. We've got not only a useless PM but a cabinet of chocolate teapots as well

Thatcher, I cannot believe the votes for Blair!

Brown or Major for me, possibly Blair. I was musing recently that things have got so bad that the Alistair Campbell years now seem like the good old days of open and honest government. I follow him on twitter and have found myself liking him. Strange times indeed.

Margret Thatcher.

And now I'm going to have to go and euthanise myself for thinking that.

John Smith.

Was thinking about this earlier, Blair.

Gordon Brown

A half competent cabinet would also help. God help us with Patel, Gove, Hancock and the rest of the muppets.
Picked by whom?

Those saying Thatcher - how was everyday living better under Thatcher? I wasn't here under those days (Thank God), but I had friends that would do all but spit on the floor about what it was like. Of course, they were working class, so possibly didn't matter?