Johnson resigns!

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Hurrah.

Sorry, meant to say “stay on as PM”…

So

Dominic Raab has ruled himself out of the Leadership Contest (This is perhaps significant with regards to Johnson. However Raab's problem is his wafer thin majority and the fact he is at risk of losing his seat at a General Election).

Other significant names who have ruled themselves out so far (and there maybe are some surprises here).
Matt Hancock, Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom

So far three have made an official announcement of their intention to stand. Thats Suella Braverman, (she has 2 of the 8 noms she needs to be a candidate - Sir Desmond Swayne and Jason McCartney) Jake Berry and Steve Baker

There are two other candidates who is a seeming definite as they have allies publically go on record as nominating them. Thats Tom Tugendhat with 4. (Damian Green, John Stevenson, Aaron Bell and Robert Largan) and Liz Truss with 1 (Alec Shelbrooke)

Then those who are likely to stand but there is no official word from them or close associates are so far rumoured to be: Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt, Ben Wallace, Nadhim Zadhawi, Sajid Javid, Tobias Ellwood, Grant Shapps (Sky seem to have an inside track on him) and Rishi Sunak.

I suspect all are waiting to see the fog start to clear with regards to the ongoing squatter at No10 until they will be more willing to show their hands. Plus they will probably want to secure their 8 noms before making an embarassing statement and not being able to get into even the first round of votes.

I wouldn't rule out another wildcat option or two of Tory MPs chancing their luck - if only to try and get a promotion and Cabinet Role. There is bound to be another delussional candidate like Braverman...

OMFG.... you know I was joking earlier about Carrie screaming at Johnson that he HAD to stay as PM...

Pippa Crerar AT pippacrerar
EXCL: Boris Johnson and wife Carrie are planning big wedding bash at Chequers within weeks - with sources saying it's part of reason he wants to stay as caretaker.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-wife-carrie-host-27422792

PLEASE PLEASE let this be utterly ruined. It would be divine justice for cancelled weddings, parties and funerals...

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-wife-carrie-host-27422792

FFs

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-wife-carrie-host-27422792

Its here. MN link won't work

They are truly shameless

its always been about the lifestyle hasn’t it

jeez Carrie hope it’s worth it 🤢

Suella Braverman for PM AT SuellaForPM
Hope • Security • Opportunity

I have to say that the Tory Leadership Contest is most definitely one of the best comedy series going. They have a new cast every 2 or 3 years and its high drama and entertainment. There is always a very 'classy' scandal and a moment of sheer cringe. Coupled with just pure laughs.

Suella is already delivering on my hopes and expectations. I think its a terrific opportunity for some light relief. And I find great security in knowing there will always be someone along to make you realise that actually you aren't as dumb as you thought you were.

I have a theory about why Labour seem like they ‘don’t have a plan’… when I was abroad recently I noticed how nice it was to be surrounded by normal news. It seemed kind of quaint that French newspapers were writing about animal welfare or some other such normal news. It made me realise that for 6 years we’ve had such a hysterical, high pitched news cycle that it seems like a long time ago newspapers were actually bothered about day to day policy.

i think for Labour, it’s quite hard to cut through when there is just constant scandal and your line is basically- erm well I guess we won’t do any of this? If eg. the recent reviews into children’s social care we’re getting the airtime they would in a normal news environment, we’d get to hear what Labour have to say about it. As it is I do feel Labour seem a bit absent but I think that’s largely because there is juts so much noise form the actual government there’s not much they can say. Essentially this is the biggest problem with this government- creating an environment in which there is no place for any meaningful discussion of actual policy issues.

Indeed, imagine if Labour decide to no confidence Johnson on Monday...

Then they could really ruin his wedding plans!

Really, really good points. It does "feel" different. There seems no space for debate about actual issues, not as there was 10/10/30 years ago even between people who vehemently disagreed with each other. I know the last 2.5 years has been dominated by Covid, but it's longer standing and more than that. Some of it is scandal and yes, some the furious news cycle.

Interestingly, I've read a couple of comments about Mick Lynch from people who have found it interesting to learn what he believes, even if they still disagree. Perhaps that is part of it, the empty vessels of high office indeed making the most sound. Empty because they don't actually believe in much, apart from being in power.

Sorry, forgot to quote @eatingapie

It made me realise that for 6 years we’ve had such a hysterical, high pitched news cycle that it seems like a long time ago newspapers were actually bothered about day to day policy.

Worth remembering that was another spot-on prediction about the outcome of the referendum. The UK has been fitted with "BrexitVision" goggles. Everything - everything - has to be seen through it's prism.

What's the very first question anyone replacing Boris has to answer ? "Am I going to push the UK to break an international treaty ?". And that will set the tone for the remaining months of their stint. No matter what else they want to do - rights for pigeons, more cauliflower on Sundays, better fonts for government. All of that has to go behind WTF to do about Brexit.

And if they are really careless we will end up going into the next election being told we have to "get Brexit done". And I had builders like that once. It didn't end well for them.

Kate Ferguson AT kateferguson
Hearing that Penny Mordaunt is running for Tory leader and has a team in place.

Guido Fawkes AT GuidoFawkes
MPs Refusing to Accept Ministerial Posts Unless Caretaker PM Appointed

I don't think the drama is over yet... news of the wedding plans will only fuel the resolve and grumbling.

I don't want to see any quitters back in parliament. Time for fresh blood and revamp, not shuffles.

I'd like Ben Wallace primarily. Excellent defence secretary and has been outstanding on Ukraine which is one of the biggest issues we face right now - war in Europe. Quite boring I guess as a politician but god we need boring and dedicated to the job right now.

Penny Morduant, Liz Truss perhaps?

Teresa May as caretaker. She's been there, done it, knows what to do.

A lavish party at Chequers really is the proverbial lead balloon. Are they really so entitled that they have no comprehension at all of the optics? Very much yes, they are that entitled, I think.

This should put the nail in any chance of him limping along until October (which shouldn't happen anyway)

She has been quietly canvassing for months and is very popular in the parliamentary party.

Will Jennings AT drjennings
As Boris Johnson hangs on as PM while the Conservative Party looks for a successor, it’s worth remembering he is still being investigated for lying to parliament and other damaging stories may also come out…

Leaving Johnson in office is hugely risky for the Conservative Party. How can it be sure he won’t inflict more damage to its reputation?

What’s the defence going to be ‘Whoops, we knew he was a bit of a wrong un but we left him as PM’?

Iain Martin AT iainmartin1 7hrs ago
Person on Sky News just said he'll be in post until October. Surely Tories will speed up the race? Doubt it will even get to the party membership. Final two or three do a deal, no?

Carl Gardner AT carlgardner
I think the politics of the system prevent that. I think Tory MPs now realise that the final membership stage skews the whole thing to the right. Basically, of the final two, the one perceived as more right-wing will win. This means the right is determined to keep that stage.

What's interesting is how a relative moderate can win in this sort of system. I think Cameron and Starmer show us. You have to be a relatively clean skin, and pretend to be more in tune with the members than you are, highlighting your radical views and keeping others quiet.

He may not have a choice to stay as PM until the Autumn. He is answerable to the Queen and he has to prove he can run a government, but seeing as 50 MPs have resigned from their ministerial posts I wonder if he can run a government?

There is no Tory worthy of the top job . They were all willing to lie to cover BJ’s (& their own )arses during his office , which makes them as bad as he is. We need a GE and god willing the other parties can collaborate to get these treacherous bastards out ! Providing the public are not so stupid as to “ put it all behind them “ again !

According to the Lascelles principle the Queen can stop an early general election. This can be done if the Queen can rely on finding another Prime Minister who could govern for a reasonable period with a working majority in the House of Commons - Tory MPs would need to convince HM that they can choose another leader and continue governing without forcing the public to vote early.

Other conditions which need to be met for using the Lascelles Principle include the government being capable of doing its job, and an early election being detrimental to the economy, and with inflation running so high, an argument could be made that a general election right now would detract from tackling the cost of living crisis.

No wonder he said that he was sorry to give up ‘the best job in the world’ !! It’s been one long jolly jape hasn’t it ?

If you knew anything about him, including his work as DPP, you would know what arrant nonsense that is.

Agreed to resign as leader of the Tories….not as PM….

You would seriously vote for Johnson who has done fuck all for women over several years in power, and who essentially views them as sex objects? You're no feminist.