Am a bit late, as I had friends, French and British, round tonight, numbing some grief with wine and trying but failing not to mention the GE.
Re John Smith:
He seemed to be PM material for some of the same reasons, I think, that Starmer and a few others do.
Because he wasn't entrenched and dogmatic but had principles and, if pushed, would come down clearly on one side of an argument. It's hard to imagine him approaching Brexit in the same way as Corbyn has, faffing about trying not to commit to anything. He'd have put paid to the anti-Semitism in the party. Perhaps ruthlessly, but it'd have been done.
And he was eloquent.
Few politicians are good speakers these days, but - to follow up on the "are Scots different?" debate earlier - Scottish politicians currently seem more eloquent than other UK politicians, IMHO.
I have noticed it before, listening to Alyn Smith, Nicola Sturgeon, Mhairi Black and others. Maybe it's because their use of language and their cadence are like mine, as a Scot, but I think it goes beyond that.
Boris waffles and lies; Gove talks shite and it's OK if yesterday's black is today's white; JRM condescends and insults; Corbyn havers.
Many Scots politicians are more precise, yet at times lyrical and therefore apparently heartfelt, in their use of language. They don't arse about and take people for fools.
Don't get me wrong, there are English MPs who are equally good: Jess Phillips, for instance, Yvette Cooper, Keir Starmer. Jo Cox was another. And Grieve and others who were ousted in favour of the bullshit brigade. Bercow, despite his failings.
People who have the courage of their convictions and the ability to convey them, cogently and convincingly.
Language does matter, fundamentally, to some - perhaps to a dwindling few.
I don't think very many of those who voted Tory think, deep down, that BJ is an honourable or a dignified PM. They are dimly aware that he's talking shite a lot of the time and that he is a condescending, entitled, lazy arsehole. But while he seems to be the least worst option, that'll do.
Sorry for the rambling post. Blame the French red wine...