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.

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.

Shame he doesn't think children with SEN should have the same opportunities for an education then.

Gove does come across as one of the saner candidates, which tells you a lot about the calibre of the others. But then I think about the damage he has done to a generation of children and decide I'd actually rather have Boris. I don't think he'd last too long once his true colours showed through.

I don’t think Boris had much say in turning up or not. His minders seem to be keeping the hatches battened down for fear he’ll turn rogue. Tuesday will be interesting, my money’s on him completely losing it.

Stewart's career cv is very impressive.
Gove doesnt listen anyone, that's how he messed up education.
Boris wont last long as PM.
All in all Stewart seems best choice.

My prediction, for what it’s worth: Boris will win (because the Tory party membership are fuckwits), there will be an immediate and successful no confidence vote, the Tories will lose the ensuing GE, Boris will be kicked out and Stewart will succeed him.

I thought as well that Stewart is running now but expecting to be the leader next time

I'm surprised that no one else seems to have noticed that in the whole hour, only one woman was allowed to answer a question.

Ok, the candidates were a penis-fest, but I am very surprised that they only selected one woman to ask a question given that the presenter was male too!

thecatsthecats i agree, it wasnt a very successful debate.

Alsohuman, I cross your palm with silver and am putting my faith in your powers of prediction. Seems like a reasonable outcome.

thecatsthecats. I thought there were 2?

I can certainly see why a lot of you are rooting for Rory. He is thoughtful, appears sincere, not making promises he can't keep. All attributes that should be a given in someone who is going to run our country, but unfortunately the other candidates are ruthless and self serving (as most leaders are) and will run rings round him while he's spending time negotiating and being sensible if he becomes PM.

He quickly changed his mind about working for Boris didn't he, when it suited, which shows he will change his mind/direction on important issues to suit imminent situations he finds himself in. He lost me there. I despair. I don't trust a single one of them.

I didn't like the way ch 4 pointedly placed the empty podium between the others to show a missing candidate. They knew Boris wasn't coming as he had arranged the BBC show.

Rory Stewart was by far the least awful. At least he seems to genuinely be interested in finding a solution to the Brexit crisis. I thought Raab was dreadful - very much the swaggering but absolutely shit Apprentice candidate.

Unfortunately, Boris is unstoppable as far as I can see. Will be interesting to see him try and debate on Tuesday but much like Trump it will make no difference to his core supporters.

Bloody hell I knew Hunt was a cunt but look at this! He's DEFENDING D Trump and K Hopkins attacking Sadiq! I'm fucking godsmacked! www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/17/jeremy-hunt-defends-trump-quoting-katie-hopkins-in-attack-on-sadiq-khan

@CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook, I know its one of them or Boris, but its like Sophie's choice with them lot. They are all awful. Its a case of who is less awful. I think Rory Stewart is most likely less awful, but then I look at his voting history and I like him less.

I’m not clear on why there was even a televised debate? That’s not normal for party leadership contests is it? They usually just get on with it behind the scenes. It’s not like most of us will get a say in who they choose - it’s not a general election. Yes the new leader will be PM, and SHOULD be chosen by the nation, but that’s not the case here. What’s the point in showing us the possible PMs when we don’t actually get to pick the winner anyway??

O god, I AM SO DEPRESSED. Feel hope draining away day by day. Hopkins, Trump, Hunt et al, I can't bear it.

It really is all very odd isn’t it?

Me too @longwayoff. The pain of having to sit and watch your country being destroyed is unbearable.

I agree. It's very worrying what is happening in this country.

That should say what is happening to this country.

Another possible consequence of BJ becoming PM could be Scotland leaving the Union IMO

We voted to stay part of the UK last time but I can't see Scottish people tolerating that idiot for any time at all and I'm afraid that although there hasn't been much appetite for another referendum so far, the ability to ditch Boris as PM, and distance Scotland from everything that he stands for, might be too tempting to resist.

Another possible consequence of BJ becoming PM could be Scotland leaving the Union

I agree, I think it would be inevitable.

I think it's one of the strongest motivating factors for Rory Stewart's involvement in the leadership contest as he's a very staunch unionist.

@Rinoachicken: I think it is pretty normal now. I certainly remember watching a television debate for the Labour leadership when Jeremy Corbyn won. I also remember watching the debate between David Cameron and David Davis.

This contest is more important as the winner will become PM, not just leader of their party.

@Fifthtimelucky

I agree it’s more important - which is what makes it even more an insult for them to be parading about in front of us like a load of peacocks whwn we don’t even get to choose!

I’m old enough to remember Tony Blair debating John Prescott and Margaret Beckett on TV for the Labour leadership!

Oh so am I, but for some reason I don't.