Westministenders: Hustings and Humilation

[RedToothBrush]

Round 1 has passed.
Boris is winning. But these are the Tories. Surprises might yet happen.

But the chances are the lying buffon is full speed ahead to be the next PM. As long as he manages to keep his mouth shut.

Unfortunately being Prime Minister involves talking. This might prove to be something that bursts the BorisMania rather rapidly.

A GE is still very much on the cards.

And we might face the Constitutional and undemocratic shutting down of parliament to satisfy the Tory Faithless.

Meanwhile the EU couldn't give less shits. They just think we are wasting the time we were granted in good faith.

31st October beckons with No Deal.

Only a GE or a second referendum would get him another EU extension. I imagine they are preparing a diplomatic fuck off for anything else.

So a GE....can't see it ending in any other way than a hung Parliament with the same kind of leave/remain split as we have now.

So then what? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Really have not been lurking very effectively recently.

Has anyone posted this stuff on recognising disinformation?
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/event/43983

I think we are heading for a point where a second referendum will be more palatable to many Tory MPs than a GE. Many of those who will be asked to vote for a GE will be in serious danger of losing their seats (including Doris). I wouldn't want to be the whip trying to force backbenchers to support a motion that would lose them their jobs.

I think there are quite a number of "no-dealers" who would like to get off the Brexit hook (including Doris, again) but do not dare. They need the authority of the people to either impose no-deal with all the consequences, or to revoke and reconsider.

Bellinicat expresses her views through movement and mostly sleep.

Boris will do tv debates

If Hunt is using Stewart as a foil then I think he is being extremely unwise from his pov. Increasingly he is giving credibility to Stewart whilst people start to talk about him in the same sentence as Gove (ie yesterday's men with plenty in their back catalogue to put off just about everyone)

I agree.

Hunt (like Gove) is increasingly between a rock and a hard place in this contest and is desparate to look relevant. By following someone else's narrative he does the opposite though.

Underestimating Stewart might seem justified but it could backfire in a big way, if the cards fall the right way. (Hancock's withdrawal I would sense to be potentially tactical on this score btw).

Hunt mainly has 'remain' support though. And anti-boris support. There is pressure for him to say certain things and do certain things.

Is that what you want in a leader though?

Especially if the popular desire and mood in the country is precisely for a 'strong leadership' style character.

Yes to cats and jam on this thread please! 👍 ✅

Incidentally what's raw chocolate? Keep seeing it on sale?

Talk about a derail.

Johnson doesn't want to give Stewart ground is the only conclusion you can draw from that.

Doing Sundays debate would legitimise Stewart and put the two head to head - especially since Johnson mostly likely thinks C4 will give him a harder time and be more favourable to Stewart.

It looks like Johnson is gambling that Stewart won't make it past round two.

I would hazard that there are more than a few Tory MPs who absoluetely DO want to see that head to head even if they don't want Stewart to win.

That opens up an interesting dynamic where there might be a tactical push to get Stewart to Round 2 even if he's then dropped.

Interesting.

Boris is scared of Rory, hope Rory gets through to the next round but I don't think he will.

Theresa May got 50% of the votes in the first round in 2016.

Boris on a bit less than 37%.

Hattersley DGR

Btw who are Boris's main "lieutenants"? Who is keeping in line?

Boris is scared of Rory

Correction:
Boris is scared of Boris and Rory.

Bit of light relief from Harry Cole:
Boris to rivals: See You Next Tuesday

I think we are heading for a point where a second referendum will be more palatable to many Tory MPs than a GE.

Especially if Remain isn't an option.

tobee very entertaining to see Newsnight trying to accuse Boris of all sorts this week given his spokesman was Kwasi Kwarteng. James Cleverly is also in his corner and his position as Deputy Party Chairman must be helping. Both of them were also part of his team when he ran for Mayor.

Other big backer is Priti Patel who worked with him when she was at International Development but also on the Leave campaign. Sir Geoffrey Cox (he of the legal advice which torpedoed the backstop) introduced him at his launch. Liz Truss is taking the opportunity to support Boris while getting some of her issues with her boss Eeyore Hammond off her chest.

Thinking about the old team for London Mayor it occurs to me that it would be relatively easy for Boris to finally junk Osbornomics because he wasn't in Parliament during most of the Cameron / Osborne years.

Especially if Remain isn't an option

What a horrific thought.

Thanks howabout. Oh god! Of course! Kwasi. Know him. Very similar to Boris imho.

Scoobycat feeling dejected.

You can play along with fantasy Ballot iterations with John Rentoul on Twitter. He has Stewart and Hancock dropping out after 2nd round, and Raab at 3rd round.

He assumes all votes from Raab, Leadsom and McVey transfer to Boris putting him on 161, but after that he doesn't seem to have much clue about ranking Gove, Hunt and Javid which suggests that TheSaj has all to play for and the most to gain from the debates.

I truly hope BJ gets skewered in the debates. I don't think it will make much difference; I just want to see him squirm.

Out of interest, if you could pick anyone for PM (Labour or Tory), who would you choose?