Penny Mordant as PM - nooooooo...

[Sidaway]

Genuinely scared now that she might win - looks like she's second behind Rishi Sunak in nominations, and the most popular with Tory membership.

If gender self-ID is passed in law, it's going to be so difficult to repeal. (I don't trust her not to try, despite what she said on Twitter recently).

So also scared now that if she wins, the UK will go the same way re. gender policy as the US, Canada etc. and the UK as a beacon of reason in the world on this issue will be snuffed out forever. (Sounds hyperbolic but think it's near the mark).

How can we campaign to stop this? I've already emailed an appeal to the nearest Tory MP to me about this, but otherwise feel powerless.

Good strong stuff. I rarely look at the Guardian (my everyday read for decades till it turned misogynist), so I’m glad that got onto Twitter.

Found this account of what he said just now:

wwnews.cryptomatters.net/lord-frost-reveals-grave-reservations-about-penny-mordaunt-as-leader/

Thanks for spotting this.

Tinkly laughter?

Lippy?

Hair flipping?

The only way to be a woman is to be female.

Anything else is just decoration and interior design. If the foundations are for a house, you can't build a multi storey car park on 'em.

It’s unlikely he’d ever get an invitation. Damnation by Lord Frost is a plus point for a lot of people.

@Blossomtoes

I appreciate that. But he’s saying she was incompetent and moved on from her junior role. That’s either true or it isn’t.

I am genuinely worried about PM but my thinking is, nobody gave a shiny shit about her just a few days ago. I think Rishi has been the shoe in for this role for months, and this is generated support designed to make it look like Rishi isn't a shoe in for this role.

This is all being very carefully orchestrated and looking at the men on TV last night saying how they really like her and support her was like watching a zombie film.

What would be a sensible compromise, Subbaxeo? Genuine question, as I can’t think of one that’s an actual compromise, ie both sides giving up something. The trans/ queer lobby makes demands, which usually involve taking something from women or from the general good (eg child safety).

I haven’t anywhere read what women would gain, or what the trans/ queer lobby would give up, other than ‘giving up’ a demand.

Why would that bother Tories? They elected Johnson who was sacked from every job he ever had.

@Blossomtoes

Because they ousted Johnson. They might not want a repeat.

They didn’t oust Johnson for incompetence, lying, mendacity, hypocrisy, dishonesty or any of his numerous other faults. They ousted him for becoming an electoral liability, the chances of anyone else reaching that very high bar are remote to say the least.

@Blossomtoes

He became an electoral liability (in their eyes) because of competency and integrity issues.

I am genuinely worried about PM but my thinking is, nobody gave a shiny shit about her just a few days ago. I think Rishi has been the shoe in for this role for months, and this is generated support designed to make it look like Rishi isn't a shoe in for this role.

I also am not sure how much is going to orchestrated behind the scenes.

Penny TWAW Mordaunt has been quietly canvassing all year. She is serious about this job, jot just someone to run against Sunak.

She might be serious about it but whether she is competent is another matter. She's a proven liar, like her ex boss.

She’s very serious about the job. The question is whether she can do it. Getting elected isn’t good enough if you’re incompetent.

@Ereshkigalangcleg

Cross-post!

Personally, I am serious about becoming the Head of the IMF. My qualifications: I have a very pretty spotted piggy bank and I was once the understudy for a walk-on part in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

They didn’t give a shit about competency or integrity (they don’t even know what the latter means). They got rid because they couldn’t cover up or brazen it out any more. They knew what he was like when they put him in Downing Street.

@Blossomtoes

We’ll see I suppose.

Penny Mordaunt would not be given as many last chances as Boris. It would be disastrous for the Tories if she took over and was forced out as well before the next general election.

The public in general actually liked Boris, for all his many many faults. They're not going to cut Penny the same slack and her colleagues aren't going to put their necks on the line for her, they'll be scheming behind the scenes.

None of this is to say she won't get in, I just don't think it will go very well.

mobile.twitter.com/TalkTV/status/1547478831610695684

Her boss doesn't think much of her. Being interviewed by JBH

Excellent. I shall pray for it.

She certainly seems to have mastered the art of self promotion, notably after appearing on Splash. Appearing on a reality show is a risky business for a politician but I think she avoided being pigeon holed as frivolous mainly due to her military background. She seems to be pushing herself as a bit of laugh but with serious side and so far it has worked well, especially as she is photogenic and has a natural air of authority that many of the other candidates like lack. Yet her actual record has not been under much scrutiny so far. I think her flip flopping may be the undoing of her slick campaign.

I think the support currently going to Badenoch and Braverman will mainly go to Truss before she leaves the contest. Tugendhat support will mainly go to Mordaunt. So then it’s whether Truss’s support is split between Mordaunt and Sunak, or Sunak’s support is split between Truss and Mordaunt... All to play for.