Britains next PM on Channel 4

[CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook]

Is anyone watching? Or is there already a thread? I think Gove looks suprisingly good thus far. Very confident and sincere sounding. Sajid seems the biggest grafter amongst them comprehensive school. Went into banking.

But its all fluff thus far.

Britain's next PM wasn't on. Just a few second rankers, and Sajid Javid

If it’s Rory against Boris in the final two, I think Rory would win, he’s winning lots of people over including the Conservative Party membership

One thing about Boris is that he can bluff his way through anything and make you believe him. Look how many times his wife took him back fgs! He was largely responsible for swinging the brexit vote imo, and he didn't get to be mayor without charm. I think he has watched Rory, clocked his style and would likely still win in a debate. Unfortunately.

Yes! I noticed this as well! Why?!!

Some PR guy said "don't point when you make your point". So they make some other action instead of pointing.

Don’t be fooled by Rory Stewart. Look at his voting record. Particularly look at his record on benefits and on taxation.

I want to punch them all for using that horrible thumb over bent but slightly pointy finger clenched fist thing they do.

This is definitely something they have been told to do rather then pointing, which is really aggressive.

Gove was the most appalling education secretary - I honestly think he is almost as bad as BJ. Don't believe an absolute word he says.

I’ve said Gove all along. He had a fairly normal upbringing and got a scholarship to a private school. Friends husband was in his class and said he was the most intelligent person he had ever met. That is why he goes on about education, it gave him the opportunities he has had in his life.

I loathe them all but Rory Stewart less than the others. Interesting how much applause he got compared to the others. B J just his usual self, slacking elsewhere.

"Mammajay" really? Those tables we needed when there were 12 pennies in a shilling and 16 ounces to a pound weight? That nobody's used in about 50 years? There's something very odd about Mr Gove. Saints preserve us.

That is why he goes on about education, it gave him the opportunities he has had in his life.

He has single-handedly cocked up the education system.

Friends husband was in his class and said he was the most intelligent person he had ever met

Trying to make the curriculum suit only clever people like him has caused untold damage to kids.

Found it all a bit pointless without BJ there. I guess that's what he wanted.

It's scary that this is supposedly the best of the willing bunch. It's like choosing the best gun to shoot yourself in the head with.

So depressed that one of those is going to become the new prime minister. Or Boris. 🤦🏽‍♀️

The thumb thing is a form of diplomatic etiquette as many countries consider pointing to be extremely rude and ministers can’t risk offending their opposite number in another country. It seems to be a status symbol now though; as in, look at me doing the thumb thing, I operate at the highest level.

Rory Stewart came over best IMO. What is his back story?

It's interesting - worth a read.

Rory Stewart life

Thanks Tav, that was very interesting.

I looked up his speech on hedgehogs. TLDW and subject matter aside, he is an amazing talent and very clever man.

I like that he appears to be a Compassionate Conservative. But could take unpopular decisions when needed, as he is shown he is principled.

His voting record on benefits and taxation would match the others I strongly suspect, he is a Tory after all and they believed they had to reduce spending.

I really hope he gets through today. Boris would find him a real problem, the others don’t have the likeability to so that .

I feel like he'd be a lot less embarrasing on the world stage than Boris!

I am not sure Rory has the charisma though, unfortunately but he has an impressive wikipedia
i do believe Boris is being thrown to the lions, which is no more than he deserves

I don't think Boris is being fed to the lions at all.

If anyone of the other candidates had not turned up last night they would have been out of the running immediately.

It merely strengthened Boris' hand.

You make a fair point Eleanor. If/when BJ is PM, how long will he last? Any odds on that?

If anyone of the other candidates had not turned up last night they would have been out of the running immediately.

I agree. It worries me that Boris can seemingly just so what the hell he likes and the public think that’s fine.

Who gets to choose though, not me.
It is the conservatives who choose and they seem to like Boris - why?

Who gets to choose though, not me.
It is the conservatives who choose and they seem to like Boris - why?

At a guess motivations could be thinking a) that he will deliver Brexit (for those who want to leave) b) that he is popular enough to win them a general election and linked to those that c) he can counteract people being won over to Farage and the Brexit Party.

Plus some probably just like him because he either is like them or they have been convinced that he represents him and their interests.

I think Conservative members have been surprisingly pleased with Rory Stewart but he would have to get through the next rounds of MPs voting. I don't like all of Stewart's voting record but then I wouldn't because he is a Tory and I'm not - no leadership candidate Tory party will have the voting record i want. However, I do admire aspects of his career and some of the things he has achieved in parliament. And I respect that he seems to be taking the process seriously and trying to give honest answers.

Just another example of how the UK is becoming a US satellite.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/16/silence-is-golden-as-boriss-lectern-wins-tory-televised-debate

Agreed 1CarefulLadyOwner grim isn't it?

Over on the Westministenders thread they are saying that Rory needs at least 9 more endorsements to get through to the next stage:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/eu_referendum_2016_/3611888-Westministenders-Hustings-and-Humilation

I think that's unlikely to happen.

I just don't know why people would be happy to have as PM someone who shows such complete contempt and disregard for the electorate in this country that he doesn't turn up to debate. But then it is a clever move on his part.