Pick a Prime Minister

[Jourdain11]

Since it seems to be the widely-held view that Boris Johnson hasn't done a great job of handling this crisis, which recent (last 30 years) former PM do you think would have done the best?

Margaret Thatcher
John Major
Tony Blair
Gordon Brown
David Cameron
Theresa May

Throw in the LOTOs for good measure:

Jeremy Corbyn
Ed Miliband
(David Cameron)
Michael Howard
Ian Duncan Smith
William Hague
(Tony Blair)
John Smith
Neil Kinnock

Throw in Ken Clarke for good measure, since he was almost LOTO twice and held two of the Great Offices of State.

I am genuinely curious as to what people think! My guess would be Blair or Thatcher. Not sure if I could cope with the gushy Blair speeches every day, personally, though.

Margaret Thatcher. Covid would have taken one look at her, and buggered off.

Of course there’s the other Johnson. Alan would have been pretty good.

Many would argue that Major's govt did not handle the CJD crisis well. But that was not a crisis of his govt's making (and one where it wasn't in their power to do much, after the fact).

Gordon Brown or John Smith

Gordon Brown
John Smith

I actually think David Cameron wouldn’t have done a terrible job, although I was no fan of his especially.

@Alsohuman

Of course there’s the other Johnson. Alan would have been pretty good.

Do you remember his total takedown of Jon Lansman (was it?) on the ITV Election Nighr coverage?!

Never ever voted Conservative and certainly wouldn’t have voted for Thatcher. But she would have been on top of this.
She’d have swatted that pillock Cummings with her handbag well before he set foot anywhere near Downing St.

Margaret thatcher.. We would have testing and tracing in place weeks ago and it would be much more controlled

Ok look I've had wine. But this thread is just making me think how I fancy Gordon Brown.

@LadyEloise Do you think Edwina dressed up sexy, like, for Maj?

I liked Ed a lot. He had a tough ride.

@twilightermummy

I liked Ed a lot. He had a tough ride.

He also had a chancellor who understood economic theory. Could've been helpful.

Tony Blair.

I'm aware that my opinion makes me the Antichrist

Most definitely Maggie Thatcher

John Smith

Dh once, some years ago, had to go to an event where various politicians were. Apparently loads of women were enthralled by Major. "He's very tall" Dh said , as if in explanation

Sorry for lowering the tone.

I find it curious that Major barely looks older now than when he was in office

Thatcher, definitely.

I quite like Boris though and feel very sorry for him despite the fact he's not done the best job of all this.

I am incredibly grateful we don't have to suffer a Labour government though, that's the last thing any situation needs.

I too think that John Major was vastly underrated. Given another couple,of years on the front bench I think we would all have seen that.
Gordon Brown would have been my second choice.
But I do think that society has moved towards being susceptible to Thatcher's almost jingo-istic calls to arms, so maybe she would have worked.

Tony blair too I watched one of his speeches on youtube not so long ago, probably a year before the 1997 GE and he was mesmorising, so charismatic. It was clear even at that point labour were going to win

Oh gosh my family from mining communities in the valleys are going to turn in their graves as I say this....

Thatcher.

A scientist, calm in a crisis, and takes no prisoners. Her way or the highway for lockdown it would have been. Riot against it, don't give a shit.

@twilightermummy

I liked Ed a lot. He had a tough ride.

I very much agree. I feel he would have surprised the public if he'd been PM.

Thatcher 😍 my hero

@CrocodileFondue Feel sorry for boris Yeah the guy needs the sympathy and the tories have made such a success of the last 10 years with brexit, corona etc

I am incredibly grateful we don't have to suffer a Labour government though, that's the last thing any situation needs.

Oh yeah, only the Tories could have run the strong and stable government we've been blessed with for the last decade.