To be starting to really worry about Liz Truss

[Anothernamechangeplease]

OK, so I'm not a Tory. I hate Boris, and despise the rest of them. I don't hold or much hope of any of them actually doing anything to address the problems that we're currently facing, because I don't think any of them actually give a toss about ordinary people. Of the two candidates that are left in the Tory leadership contest, I would pick Rishi, because I think he has a more realistic understanding of the economic challenges, but obviously, I'm not a party member so I have no say in the matter.

Nevertheless, I have been relatively sanguine and the prospect of Liz Truss as leader, a) because I figured that things couldn't get much worse than the shit show that we have had under Boris, and b) because I am pretty sure that she will be utterly unelectable when it comes to the next general election, so worst case scenario would be that we have another couple of years of crappy Tory government, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, and then we can be pretty confident of getting shot of them. So, pretty shit all in all, but survivable.

But listening to everything that she is saying she wants to do, to the economic forecasts, and to the analysis from both within and beyond the Tory party, I'm starting to get really very worried. All this talk of huge tax cuts and massive reductions in public spending...I fear that she is going to make the looming economic crisis infinitely worse at a time when we can least afford to risk it. Nearly all economists seem to agree that her plans are going to make things worse, not better.

We are already at breaking point. Public services are on their knees. Businesses are struggling to stay afloat. People both in work and out of work are struggling. The most vulnerable are already having to choose between bare essentials such as eating and heating. Inflation continues to soar, energy prices are going off the scale, interest rates are going up... and she is about to make it worse! We just don't have the resilience in the system to cope with this.

I am actually very worried about what is going to happen. This could be very bad indeed, and a lot of people are going to suffer. If we end up with austerity on steroids in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis, there will be massive civil unrest, surely?

Truss is estimated to be worth £8.4 million Claire £4.99 accessories my arse. The Tories are really taking the piss. Get's to be PM then a clear path to £50 mill down the line and beyond.

moneytransfers.com/news/content/the-net-worths-of-the-potential-next-tory-leaders

On a slightly more serious note, whatever one may think of the Callaghan government, or indeed those under Thatcher and Major that followed, and then Blair and Brown there genuinely were "big beasts" in all those cabinets; and a damn sight more integrity and honesty, irrespective of whether any of us may have supported or agreed with the messages and outcomes.

scary.fucking.stuff

If Putin really will screw the west over economically, and people starve and people cant heat their homes, isn’t it time to go up a level ir get rid of him.

Its all well and good being scared of Putin and no one wants WW3, but if he’s essentially destroying the west, what other option is there?

How are ordinary Russians weathering sanctions? Are they suffering huge cost of living increases? I know it's always difficult to guage the mood on the grounds because people daren't criticise Putin.

This popped up in my YT feed 2 Russian teenagers or early twenties who used to live in America being very careful about censorship just chatting stuff about their lives. They are not happy but then who is ?

Where is 007 when you need him!

Having a sex change!

Her latest pronouncement is fucking scary and shows a complete absence - not lack, absence - of any thought or knowledge about the reasons and role of government. IMHO.

I hate to say it, and I know Liz is an accountant, but Sunak is shrewd with economics and finances as he was a banker (a somewhat immoral profession by its nature), but I really think that we need someone shrewd and not someone entirely lacking in empathy to govern. I suspect Putin is laughing is fucking arse off at us fumbling at the greasy till.

It's sunak for me. I'm not a Conservative but as we are stuck with them I think he has slightly more humanity about him. And awareness of the economy. I hope his ethnicity does not put off xenophobic middle englanders.

Truss lacks charisma, doesn't she? Why do so many Tories like her?

Even if I disliked their policies I could see that Thatcher had intelligence & fortitude, May had compassion & grit, Johnson had charisma and would u-turn on a policy in response to keeping his voters happy. Trump is a showman who appeals to his voters' basest instincts. Sunak comes across as self-deprecating, personable, helpful nice guy next door. What personality merits does Truss have?

Truss keeps sounding like a deluded idealogue on cost-of-living crisis. How would tax cuts help people who pay no/little disposable tax, unless corporations both invest profits in making more profit & sharply increase wages which will be strongly inflationary? She's showing very delayed sympathy or understanding what the most vulnerable households are facing.

And starmer is sparkling with an abundance of charisma?!

Who needs or wants a charismatic leader?! Not me.

I want someone who is honest, hard-working, has values and principles, and can competently implement a clear plan for addressing the multiple problems the country faces.

I don't care about charisma and can't understand why this is valued over competence.

Absolutely bang on. She will be the end of the conservative government and that in itself places the uk at the very worst place possible

labour will be even worse. We can’t afford to let them in

and I say this as an anti Tory.

The UK is already in the worst place possible. You cannot possibly know that Labour would be worse. Right now the Monster Raving Looney party would be an improvement on this Government.

It does matter because although the final destination might be the same, how tge journey is travelled is important

Im not inviting him for dinner but the man is at least intellectually equal with his peers.

Truss is the look how bad it could have been beard to make fishy rushi look good with a bit of luck.

I actually prefer technocrats myself. I thought Sunak was a technocrat until he proved himself a whiny people pleaser.

So I would love Starmer in charge. Personally. Boring sounds lovely.

I thought most people were different, they didn't prefer technocrats for their political leaders. They wanted big personalities. Or at least the gal/guy you'd have a drink with. Interesting to talk to, seems to know what they're doing, too. Say I'm wrong.

I find it frankly terrifying that you are happy to install a technocrat leader. This county is in bigger danger that I thought if there are more like you.

We really have/are becoming a post democratic country. @

Wow, that's a strong response.

I didn't say anything about "install". I am ok with principle that people are voted into power, even when I don't like their policies. i can't follow Festoon's posts very well. Shades of Dominic Cummings in ranting tangential presentation style. Not sure what Festoon likes or wants.

I remember John Major

So much more calmer days.

Truss is obviously a plant but she can't see it can she?

And while I'm at it the "planters" who have a vote must have someone turning the key in their backs too. Pale, male, stale and aged mostly.

I find it difficult to absorb the fact that 150,000 approx members of the Conservative Party can choose the next PM. That is powerful isn't it? But it's probably similar in the Labour Party, anyone know?

I’d take technocracy over these cult of personality leaders, read Trump, Johnson. Technocrats are literally people chosen for their expertise in the role, nothing to do with becoming post-democratic 😂

I thought that the Conservatives were voted in on a manifesto.

It seems the manifesto is changing and there is nothing people can do about it.

If a party gets elected and then proceeds to do things that weren't in their manifesto, who can stop them?