How does someone like Jacob Rees- Mogg even come to exist, let alone end up as Leader of the Commons?

[screentime]

Is anyone else in utter disbelief at what politics has come to in the UK? The nation being pushed off the precipice because “democracy”, even though nobody voted for either if these last two PMs and if the referendum was a GE it would have been a hung Parliament. Plus nobody even knew what Brexit would entail when they voted. Everyone knows and openly admits we’ll all be worse off, but never mind, it’s “the voice if the people” . How the hell is BJ PM when he ducked out after the referendum result and flounced out of the negotiations? One day he’s saying he’ll get a great new deal and the “doubters” will be proved wrong, the next day we hear he’s preparing for a no deal as the most likely outcome. What planet is he on? And having brought the nation to this point where we’re the laughing stock of Europe, this JRM “Esq” is focusing on how many spaces to leave between sentences and wittering on about banning random words like some demented headmaster on some petty power trip! It beggars belief. And then he turns up in Wales with a son who is wearing the same clothes as him. If you went out in the streets and looked, you couldn’t find anyone who is more of an utter loon. How is any of this happening? I ask this as someone who has mainly voted Conservative in the past due to the economy, but who in their right mind would vote for this lot? AIBU?

[Justanotherlurker]

Do you actually understand what the leader of the commons role is, and what little power it actually has, or have you just been swept up in your twitter echo chamber.

They have put a political geek in an effective non position to keep him away from front line politics, understanding the intricacies of the working of parliament is the perfect position for him. Being outraged by him having that position shows you are less informed about politics than you would care to admit.

[Jsmith99]

I blame the parents.

[StoneofDestiny]

Rees Smug - not a man of principle at all. You can assess the real man by the company he keeps and who he supports.

[StoneofDestiny]

But most Catholics dont have such archaic views

Catholics are taught to follow their conscience. They aren't dragooned into what they do - they choose according to their own free will.

[SquishySquirmy]

Many seem to like JRM for his principles, even if they disagree with him.
But I think his "Roman Catholic Principles" are far more flexible than he would care to admit and he applies then selectively.

Eg, anti choice but perfectly happy to cosy up to Johnson despite the abortions he's been responsible for. A man with such strict morals as JRM would surely have some reservations about BJ wouldn't they? No doubt if it was a "commoner" who had fathered an unknown number of kids by multiple women, pressured others into abortions, and taken a repeatedly loose attitude towards his marriage vows JRM would be full of approbation.

And he's certainly not very Christian in his attitude towards the poor and vulnerable in society.

He's a cynical hypocrite.

[StoneofDestiny]

Scary

[Jengnr]

You voted Conservative. You got what you voted for.

It would be laughable had you not dragged the rest of us along with you.

[Cheeseoncrumpets]

But most Catholics dont have such archaic views Scaryteacher

[Tavannach]

As for JRM and the way he likes his paperwork set out, at least the man has standards.

His own poor standards of literacy came up on a thread earlier today. This is about the book he wrote -

The Victorians is written (or, as Rees-Mogg confesses, dictated) in a plodding, laborious and barely readable style, completely lacking in humour, sophistication or polish as well as in every other literary quality. Here’s a sample: “Disraeli, as we know, was especially good at being rude and, although we have a persistent image of the Victorians as bound by rigid rules of decorum and politeness, their politicians could be appallingly rude in ways that would be ruled out of order today and Disraeli was especially the master of the jibe.” And so on, and on, and on, in one lame, banal, poorly structured sentence after another, for more than 450 pages.
New Statesman review

That sentence about Disraeli is a disgraceful mutilation of the English language from anyone, but especially from someone who was so expensively educated.

[HelenaDove]

There is a Harry Enfield sketch called Odd Kid That reminds me of JRM

[screentime]

Just seen the names of his DC. One is called “Sixtus Boniface, “ another has 5 or 6 names.

[scaryteacher]

Fraggling He has v regressive views on reproductive rights for women and he seems very cold. No abortion under any circs is very very hardline. No, it's very Roman Catholic, which he is. Those are his religious beliefs which he is entitled to hold.

[StoneofDestiny]

Rees Mogg simply represents, as Blow Joe Johnson does, the unveiled face of a Conservatism.
No surprise to me - have never voted Tory.
But have always known inherited wealth and privilege steered Tory thinking, and their goal has always been to secure wealth and privilege for the few.
Don't get the shock - these guys and their ilk haven't sprung from nowhere - Tory voters have supported their ruthless climb to the top.

[Cheeseoncrumpets]

He's a like a Dickensian villain come to life. I cant believe he's an actual real person and not an actor playing a part.

[LatteLove]

He and his peers are bloody awful. I have no idea why anyone looks at this lot and still thinks voting Tory is a good option.

[scaryteacher]

Plus nobody even knew what Brexit would entail when they voted. Yawn, some of us had managed to work out that no deal was a distinct possibility, given that the Commission would try to make things difficult, and it was mentioned iirc, in the propaganda leaflet from HMG that we would leave the SM and the CU; so we had been told.

I live in mainland Europe, and no-one has laughed at me, neither do they laugh at the UK in the large multinational HQ where dh works.

As for JRM and the way he likes his paperwork set out, at least the man has standards. Judging by the abysmal grasp of SPaG by many candidates at GCSE, thank goodness someone is at least trying. I would also point out that many places have a house style in their official paperwork, so does JRM. So what?

JRM is well dressed, polite to a fault, and very intelligent. It's a shame more MPs on both sides of the House don't take a leaf out of his book in appearance, good manners and engaging their brains before they open their mouths.

[Fraggling]

JRM terrifies me.

He has v regressive views on reproductive rights for women and he seems very cold. No abortion under any circs is very very hardline.

I think he wants to go back to a ruling class with everyone else serfs tugging forelocks when their betters pass by. No exaggeration I think that is what he wants. Rich elite and downtrodden underclass who must do their bidding or starve.

[MaxNormal]

I'm also curious to hear in what way prejudiced.

[screentime]

Apparently he drew up his list of banned words years ago in his constituency. It’s astonishing. How can you ban the word “equal?” And why? If anyone else did this they would be referred for assessment.

[SquishySquirmy]

How is the op prejudiced?
Please explain, IAskToo because having re-read the op, I'm struggling to see it!
Unless "prejudiced" = expressing dislike of a politician and giving reasons and examples for this opinion.

[Fantababy]

Your OP is very prejudiced

So how would you counter the OP? In what ways is the OP wrong? How would you defend JRM? It seems these days that any criticism of the Tories invites whiny responses of 'don't be so mean' or 'that's a horrible post' without any thoughtful political response.

[screentime]

I know quite a lot of people who went to Eton etc, but these two are something else entirely. JRM Esq is a walking joke on every level. When I first saw him I actually thought he was a comedian doing a satirical sketch. How is he not laughed out of Westminster?
I bet now there will be a competition in Parliament to see who can include the most “banned” words into their speeches. Surely nobody takes him seriously?

[TooManyPaws]

I remember JRM standing as a Tory Boy standing in a no hope seat in Fife, full of miners and shipyard workers who felt thoroughly screwed over by Thatcher. I remember the local incredulity at him,especially as he brought his nanny with him to canvas and drove around in some great fancy car, possibly a Rolls Royce. He behaved himself and stuck very closely to the Labour candidate because, as the labour guy remembered, RJM was literally in fear for his life as he only needed to say one thing wrong in the days after the miners' strike to be lynched. Don't forget that Fife was the last place to elect a Communist councillor and he only retired a couple of years ago as an independent. JRM didn't go down well.

[ragged]

JRM would be quite amusing if he were a TV presenter. Stuck to Jeremy Clarkson level of public profile.

Instead folk put him in power. Blame his constituents, I guess.

Y does JRM have a double plummy accent when his sister sounds so ordinary voiced? Has she learnt to tone down her natural accent while JRM deliberately exaggerates his?

[carrie74]

JRM is my MP, I've met him a few times, and his son (the one you mention). I don't like his stance in the least, but he's a highly intelligent individual, never gets flustered, is devoted to his family, and (according to some acquaintances), has championed local causes. His family also has a lot of local ties to the area, so that's how he gets to exist.

However, I deplore his politics (and have written to him a few times about things he has done that I don't believe are in his constituents' interests), and am even less impressed with having BJ as our PM.

The comment about TM not being elected though, there was a GE soon after she became Tory leader, wasn't there? So she was ultimately voted in. BJ not so much, waiting on the cote of no confidence from Labour. Not sure what they're waiting for? Not long until the next Brexit deadline...