Westministenders: A New Approach? No chance.

[RedToothBrush]

Next week we will have a new PM. He will be called Boris Johnson unless something very odd has happened.

His first 72 hours will be 'interesting' especially if today's events are anything to go by.

His Cabinet is sure to be a horror show. It was noticable who abstained today - they don't think they will be in a Johnson Cabinet and clearly don't want to be.

To move forward Johnson must be able to survive a rebellion and a Queen's speech before now and 31st October.

And be able to unit his party in order to find a way forward.

And whilst parliament has voted to block proroguing parliament, it could still be dissolved if there is a vote of no confidence.

And what happens if Johnson loses a vote? Will he manage to become PM? Will there be a GE.

All the signs are that next week is going to be a hell of a ride.

Enjoy your weekend.

Lib Dems new leader result to be announced at 4pm today.

Given that he or she we lead the party on the greatest ascendancy shouldn't the press have had more inches and attention on this and less on Johnson/Hunt?

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ireland-brexit-no-deal-aid-plan-protect-back-stop-border-ni-uk-a9015146.html?amp

I hate putting links in but this just popped up.

That looks like a big FU from the EU to Johnson.

I expect Raab’s astronomy is as bad as his geography. He probably thinks the Moon is somewhere near Calais and v. important trade wise.
@TheNumberfaker - I have PMd you!

Sir Alan Duncan MP @alanduncanmp
I resigned as Foreign Office minister this morning. Here is my letter to the Prime Minister

Steve Swinford@steven_swinford
Sir Alan Duncan has quit as a foreign minister

He handed in his resignation letter this morning

He's made clear he can't serve under a Boris Johnson premiership

Meanwhile with Labour the Times reported last night that 2 in 5 party members want Corbyn to quit.

@TheElementsSong - Is it true that Raab was on R4 this morning saying that we'd get a great Brexit deal because 50 years ago we put a man on the moon??

According to this article in the independent, it was Johnson.

And Tom Brake, the Liberal Democrats' Brexit spokesperson, said: “Considering Boris seems to know as much about frictionless trade as he does space exploration, perhaps we should send Boris on a one way trip to the moon for a fact-finding mission.”

Ross Kempsall @rosskempsell
Foreign Office at height of Iran crisis

- Secretary of State running against the likely future PM and doesn’t know whether he’ll still have job on Weds
- second in command just resigned (Duncan)
- third is currently suspended for manhandling female protester (Field)

Cool

@bellinisurge - That looks like a big FU from the EU to Johnson.

It's simply consistent with what the EU have been saying all along. Here in Ireland, we have been told for a long time that there will be an EU aid package in the event of no deal.

And all with the added bonus of an FU to Johnson

Breaking News:- Charlie Elphicke MP charged with three counts of sexual assault against two women.

Yes I saw that from The Times that 2/5 Labour members won't Corbyn to go.

Which means 3/5 want him stay. Or don't know. Presumably.

*want Corbyn to go

Anyone who thinks the timing of Irans action isn't a coincidence is probably a bit dim.

The silence from POTUS is deafening ....

Breaking News:- Charlie Elphicke MP charged with three counts of sexual assault against two women.

is that another Tory out of the HoC ? Oh, dear, Boris ....

The Elphicke story is breaking news on the BBC too.

@Isthisafreename , glad to hear it.

@tobee , tick tock Mr Johnson, you are running out of MPs.

So does that mean that Charlie Elphicke has to resign (good) or is suspended? Or do we have to wait until if/when he is convicted?

I expect this week is going to be like nothing we've ever seen before - and we've seen a lot!

Elphicke has the whip suspended previously over the allegations - only to be reinstated when there was there was a confidence vote for May last December.

Thanks @ContinuityError just reading up on it, surely they will now have to suspend the whip again? With the Brecon by-election as well it's getting very, very tight indeed.

Continuity yes I messed up my posting because I was so concerned to spell Elphicke correctly!!

Looks like the Tory campaign in Brecon is going well

Just had a QI "fact of the day" pop up that the at it's height the British Empire covered the same surface area as the moon.

I wonder if that explains the Raabsters cryptic comment ?

Just a reminder that is the same Charlie Elphicke who was previously suspended from the Tory Party for sexual misconduct allegations, but was reinstated just before Theresa May had a big vote.

So now they will have to suspend the whip again.

Charlie if you remember is a Leaver. But did vote with government.

If found guilty, there is the possibility of a parliamentary recall by the public. He represents the rather currently politically important constituency of Dover where he has a majority of 7,000 over Labour.

2017
Con - 27,211 52.4%
Labour - 20,774 40.0%
UKIP - 1,723 3.3%
LD - 1,336 2.6%
Green - 923 1.8%

Now if come October things get interesting that seat could be interesting especially if you consider this:

2015

Con - 21,737 43.3%
Labour - 15,443 30.7%
UKIP - 10,177 20.3%
LD - 1,572 3.1%
Green - 1,295 2.6%

The Cons can't afford slippage back to the Brexit Party in Dover...

Especially if there is also a LD leakage.

2 in 5 party members want Corbyn to quit.

But...but that's 60% who want him to stay! In Brexit terms, an overwhelming majority!

David Sheppard @ oilsheppard
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO, ON BRITISH TANKER INCIDENT IN IRAN, SAYS IT FALLS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR SHIPS -FOX NEWS #OOTT via Reuters