... to think Theresa May is just a bit dim?

[EastMidsMummy]

She NEVER EVER answers the question she's asked and just blurts on with what slogans her advisors have trained her to say. She doesn't show an ability to think on her feet, be witty, clever, human or interesting.

For someone who is going to negotiate the most important deal of our lifetime, isn't she just a bit too... dim?

No one doubted that Cameron was clever; I believe his tutor is on record as saying that he was one of the cleverest students he had taught. No tutor has come forward to say that about May.

But - being clever didn't stop Cameron making the most almighty mess of the Referendum and destroying his own political career in the process.

I don't think TM is dim, she'll clearly be intelligent in a number of ways, but she doesn't have much to offer. Her entire campaign is "I'm not Corbyn", "strong and stable" (which quickly turned into a joke of an anti-slogan), and a very large slice of incompetent control freakery.

Saying Corbyn is offering a magic money tree doesn't really address the problem that is TM. She will be elected but she would be wise not to think she got elected because the electorate want her. She'll be elected because the electorate felt they had no choice.

From the day she's back in No.10 as PM the scheming in the shadows will be in full effect. Speaking of which, if anyone is still fooled by Boris Johnson's "but he's got funny hair" act, you should listen to his interview on Radio 4 this morning. There's no way you'd want someone like that as PM.

You can't say Theresa May must be intelligent because she went to Grammar school and then Oxford AND criticise Diane Abbott for being thick. Diane Abbott went to Grammar school, then Cambridge AND then managed to get onto the Fast Track training scheme for the civil service.

To be honest I am concerned that Diane Abbott could be unwell or something because she used to be a bit of a Rottweiler not just ditsy.

Speaking of which, if anyone is still fooled by Boris Johnson's "but he's got funny hair" act, you should listen to his interview on Radio 4 this morning. There's no way you'd want someone like that as PM.

^^
This
People do know that Boris actively cultivates the buffoon image.

She's not dim but she is unable to speak cogently or off the cuff.

I do think she is out of her depth and I believe the EU leaders will wipe the floor with her, sadly.

Peregrina I don't agree, I think there are plenty of political issues in this election campaign people could usefully discuss.

I think there are plenty of political issues in this election campaign people could usefully discuss.

The Tories are in Government - why aren't they doing so? I have had more Tory election communications this morning - all knocking Corbyn, none discussing the issues.

The Tories offer is:

We've created an almighty mess, we've got a magic and secret spell that will turn it into gold, we're not as bad as the alternative

It's not exactly compelling.

I used to think that May was clever but callous.

I think what's happened is this. She led a very successful career for years and years based on a strategy of never answering questions directly. She served as home secretary for a very long time by simply keeping her head down. So she assumed that that strategy would continue to work as prime minister. And it did - right up to the point where she called an election and had to engage directly with the public.

Even though it became apparent quite quickly that giving robotic answers to questions was making her unpopular, she has refused to change it. This could be a sign of stupidity (or if not stupidity, a lack of self-awareness), or a sign that she's scared of engaging with the electorate. Or - who knows - it could turn out to be a highly successful strategy that will see her returned on Friday with an increased majority.

She is a vicar's daughter. All the vicar's daughters I know, and I know several, are all well versed in conversation and making small talk with people and can fit easily into many different types of society. Whether this is a latent talent or one that was acquired, i'm not too sure, but TM seems to be totally lacking in this ability and I wonder why.

The Tories are in Government - why aren't they doing so?

This is the key question.

The Tories have no answers.

Wouldn't say dim, more inflexible. I think most people would want a PM who can think on his/her feet and make difficult choices or changes in high-pressure situations. May's unwillingness to go into situations where she might have to do anything apart from trot out well-rehearsed catchphrases doesn't make her appear competent, it makes her look cowardly.

Blair was good at making small talk and was a very charismatic leader and was IMO a psychopath..

I'm sure there's a middle ground between Blair and May. (But I'm pretty sure it isn't Corbyn.)

This thread smacks of everyday sexism. Why are hundreds of us speculating on whether Britain's second female Prime Minister is dim instead of Jeremy Corbyn?
This is a man who started life with every opportunity, yet managed only two Es at A-level and a year of a degree course.

Because being dim is not decided by how many A levels you have??

I think it's fair enough to question her IQ if all we ever hear from her is the same old scripted mottos.

Any originality? Quick thinking? No.

It is someone who knows her strengths and weaknesses and has not departed the version she has decided to show.

I'm struggling to find her strengths - alienating EU leaders, decimating the police force (add alienating to that too)? I guess the Saudis like her?!

This thread smacks of everyday sexism. Why are hundreds of us speculating on whether Britain's second female Prime Minister is dim instead of Jeremy Corbyn?

You've not read the tens of Corbyn bashing threads then?

Think the above sums her up

guinea: lots of people have attacked Corbyn for his supposed "stupidity"!

I am curious about May. I imagine having been in politics for such a long time she is perfectly capable of arguing her case with conviction. Certainly when I've seen her speak at Tory Party conference or to the Police Federation, she has been very eloquent. I even half-admired her for that speech to the Police Federation where she told them they weren't getting any more money, because it takes a certain amount of guts to go into the lions' den like that.

But why, in that case, would you send Amber Rudd along to make your case for you? Surely someone like May should be itching to put forward the argument to the public. I can only surmise that she's scared of putting a foot wrong - of doing what Corbyn did and forgetting some crucial numbers. If you never say anything at all, no-one can attack you for saying the wrong thing. That's my best guess.

But why, in that case, would you send Amber Rudd along to make your case for you?

Because she feels she's probably won already but if she really messed up a difficult media appearance it would cost her very dearly. For example a "low" margin of victory will see her get the chop in the medium term.

It does make sense but it is the opposite of leadership or inspirational.

To some extent yes but if you have a tonne of opportunities like Jeremy Corbyn and only manage appalling results than you're probably not Brain of Britain. Someone bright could do better than that even if they did no work.

*Owl
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Be careful not to equate intelligence with competence though.

But this post is about her being dim. I.e. Stupid (OED definition).

I thought the Plymouth Herald interview was interesting.

She obviously was determined not to actually say anything. An AI robot could have given those answers.

The poor interviewer was dejected that he had wasted his time, so he cobbled together a piece saying it was a waste of time.

But suppose you were a Plymouth region voter and you saw that interview. Would it make you think "Ah, she knows what's what! Her policies are what we need! What a great leader!"

It looks like she views interviews (and debates) as ordeals to be endured, and her objective is to say nothing strong and stable smear corbyn.

www.plymouthherald.co.uk/three-minutes-of-nothing-herald-reporter-reflects-on-pm-encounter/story-30363961-detail/story.html
includes vid.

She seems to lack emotional intelligence and wit when she's forced to go off script, though she's obviously not thick.