Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

Given the infantile level to which you've sunk Ken, forget it. I really don't care what you think.

Excuse me while I get over it ... OK that has been concluded, now to see what is for breakfast.
If you try to troll me I will treat you with the contempt you deserve.

[Kendhni]

Considering the timetable set out by the 1922 committee I think they have made their decision as to who they want to fight out the finish. It’s been reported that both Sunak and Mordaunt have the backing to get through the first round with Sunak reportedly having enough to get through the second round as well… with Mordaunt, presently just falling short of the 30 required.

I note that Mordaunt has overtaken Sunak in the betting market, this bodes well for her chances of a final hurdle showdown on Monday/Tuesday…. Well, that’s how I’m reading the race...I do however accept that on the very rare occasion I have called it wrong .

Two good candidates. You also have to include Tom Tugenhadt in there who has also made the quota.

My concern with Mordaunt is that her voting record shows she is pro surveillance and seems to believe in centralised government which could see an end, or scaling back, of the levelling up agenda. On the other hand she supports HS rail, reducing benefit dependency, equality and reduced corporation taxes (at the expense of the individual). Overall though, the pros outweigh the cons.

It will be interesting to hear them lay out their actual stalls.

[Kendhni]

Why is Labour triggering a vote of no confidence?

The problem in the tory party is in the process of being dealt with and therefore I would be surprised if Labour wins ... given the state and public trust of toryism at the minute the likelihood is that many tories would lose their jobs in a general election ... so what incentive would they have to vote for it?

[Onelife]

Two good candidates. You also have to include Tom Tugenhadt in there who has also made the quota.

My concern with Mordaunt is that her voting record shows she is pro surveillance and seems to believe in centralised government which could see an end, or scaling back, of the levelling up agenda. On the other hand she supports HS rail, reducing benefit dependency, equality and reduced corporation taxes (at the expense of the individual). Overall though, the pros outweigh the cons.

It will be interesting to hear them lay out their actual stalls.

I did read her voting record and at one point I did think “hold on a minute” but then thought to myself nothing is private theses days so I’m not getting too hung up about her having access to my betting strategies. Her voting record on benefits and disability issues are a concern if you fall into that category but on balance, I think she will, if elected give our political system the bloody good shake up it needs…with I hope a cabinet made up of those who want to steer the ship in the right direction.

[Onelife]

I note that Mordaunt has overtaken Sunak in the betting market, this bodes well for her chances of a final hurdle showdown on Monday/Tuesday…. Well, that’s how I’m reading the race...I do however accept that on the very rare occasion I have called it wrong .

Even when you got it right the winner turned out to be a donkey.

On this occasion let us both hope the winner is up to the job or we’ll both end up with an ass running the country.

[david63]

It must be a bit disheartening to put up for PM and then find that you cannot get 20 other MPs to support you!

[Kendhni]

I did read her voting record and at one point I did think “hold on a minute” but then thought to myself nothing is private theses days so I’m not getting too hung up about her having access to my betting strategies. Her voting record on benefits and disability issues are a concern if you fall into that category but on balance, I think she will, if elected give our political system the bloody good shake which is needed…with I hope a cabinet made up of those who want to steer the ship in the right direction.

I think she would bring the integrity back into the PMs office. Her background makes me think that she would not be scared of facing a real mix of political opinion in her cabinet providing a much needed balance. On the other hand her background makes me wonder if she would be more likely to put British boots in Ukraine.

I am looking forward to hearing what they all have to say before any real consideration ... it can be very embarrassing if you fire off prematurely.

I see Kemi Badenoch (not a name I know much about) seems to be moving up as well.

[Kendhni]

It must be a bit disheartening to put up for PM and then find that you cannot get 20 other MPs to support you!

Not really! Some know they are not serious contenders and are not really after the PM job, their aim is to raise their own profile, and/or that of their constituency, and try to get some support behind themselves that they can then trade for a cabinet position.

[Mervyn and Trish]

On balance I quite like Sunak and think he is a very credible candidate. But I have a reservation in that I think we do need tax cuts, which he is opposed to, to help the poorest and stimulate the economy.

But they need to be very carefully targeted. For example don't cut the income tax rate but instead raise the threshold to take more lower paid out of paying income tax completely. We need the NI rise to help with health and care costs but again raise the point at which it kicks in.

Maybe temporarily, until sanity returns to the energy market, remove VAT and green taxes from energy bills.

Longer term there need to be changes in motoring taxes. They cannot afford forever to not tax electric vehicles, which discriminates against the poorer who have no hope of affording them and will be using old petrol and diesels for a long time. The tax needs to come off the fuel and onto road use.

[david63]

Why is Labour triggering a vote of no confidence?

Because they want a General Election in the forlorn hope that they can win and to get Boris out of number 10 sooner.

The problem is that if a GE is called then Boris would still be PM until the result of the GE was known and it is unlikely that would happen any earlier than the Tory leadership election as holding a GE in the middle of summer is never a good time for any party.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Or because Sir H wants it while his I'm Not Boris policy is still relevant? He knows that once Bojo is gone and a new leader is in place and the Tories have regrouped his chances of victory are much reduced. And maybe also because he wants it before his own party decide they need a new leader.

[oldbluefox]

Interesting interview with him yesterday when he was visiting the north east. He was asked about his policy on the economy, the cost of living crisis and how it would all be paid for. Boris was accused of waffling on but this character was his equal, talk about ducking and diving. The truth of the matter is they do not have a policy above 'We will sort the economy out '.

[Manoverboard]

Ah, but will the new leader be ' sexually incontinent ' ?

What an idiotic point to make within a Political discussion.

Johnson's trait of of sh*gging junior staff and then pushing for them to gain advantages is corrupt and lays him open to blackmail. Neither of which is desirable in a political leader

I agree with the para above but ... being ' Sexually incontinent ' surely implies that the poor old boy cannot raise his poor old boy which in turn would make a nonsense of any alleged advances towards the junior staff .... yes / no ?

[Onelife]

It must be a bit disheartening to put up for PM and then find that you cannot get 20 other MPs to support you!

Not really! Some know they are not serious contenders and are not really after the PM job, their aim is to raise their own profile, and/or that of their constituency, and try to get some support behind themselves that they can then trade for a cabinet position.

Exactly that Ken

[Manoverboard]

It must be a bit disheartening to put up for PM and then find that you cannot get 20 other MPs to support you!

Not really! Some know they are not serious contenders and are not really after the PM job, their aim is to raise their own profile, and/or that of their constituency, and try to get some support behind themselves that they can then trade for a cabinet position.

Exactly that Ken

Maybe yes and maybe no ... how much trading can one do with six votes I wonder

[towny44]

Interesting interview with him yesterday when he was visiting the north east. He was asked about his policy on the economy, the cost of living crisis and how it would all be paid for. Boris was accused of waffling on but this character was his equal, talk about ducking and diving. The truth of the matter is they do not have a policy above 'We will sort the economy out '.

He certainly squirmed a lot and at one point I am sure he said that we had to wait for him to form the govt before he could give us his taxation strategy.

[Onelife]

On balance I quite like Sunak and think he is a very credible candidate. But I have a reservation in that I think we do need tax cuts, which he is opposed to, to help the poorest and stimulate the economy.

But they need to be very carefully targeted. For example don't cut the income tax rate but instead raise the threshold to take more lower paid out of paying income tax completely. We need the NI rise to help with health and care costs but again raise the point at which it kicks in.

Maybe temporarily, until sanity returns to the energy market, remove VAT and green taxes from energy bills.

Longer term there need to be changes in motoring taxes. They cannot afford forever to not tax electric vehicles, which discriminates against the poorer who have no hope of affording them and will be using old petrol and diesels for a long time. The tax needs to come off the fuel and onto road use.

Good post Sir Merv....With I have to say, sensible suggestions.

[Onelife]

Not really! Some know they are not serious contenders and are not really after the PM job, their aim is to raise their own profile, and/or that of their constituency, and try to get some support behind themselves that they can then trade for a cabinet position.

Exactly that Ken

Maybe yes and maybe no ... how much trading can one do with six votes I wonder

Irrespective of how many votes, Gove giving his backing to Kemi Badenoch has to be a big step up the ladder for a future ministerial role. From what I have read she comes out a clear winner when it comes to integrity.

[oldbluefox]

Mervyn for Chancellor.
I would have had more respect for Starmer if he had come up with suggestions like those. Starmer has the advantage that he doesn't have to put his ideas into operation and can then accuse the Tories of adopting their ideas.
If you threw enough pennies in the air some are bound to land heads up.

[david63]

Gove giving his backing to Kemi Badenoch has to be a big step up the ladder for a future ministerial role

Only if he is in a position to influence ministerial appointments.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Mervyn for Chancellor.
I would have had more respect for Starmer if he had come up with suggestions like those. Starmer has the advantage that he doesn't have to put his ideas into operation and can then accuse the Tories of adopting their ideas.
If you threw enough pennies in the air some are bound to land heads up.

Hope you're not trolling Sir H by suggesting he comes up with some ideas.

[screwy]

Given the infantile level to which you've sunk Ken, forget it. I really don't care what you think.

With apologies to you Screwy.

No apology necessary,you know what I was getting at.

[Onelife]

Gove giving his backing to Kemi Badenoch has to be a big step up the ladder for a future ministerial role

Only if he is in a position to influence ministerial appointments.

I think Gove has accepted that he’ll never take the top job but his influence, whether it be outside of the cabinet is I would think very persuasive within the corridors of Government.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Liz Truss is off my list then. Nadine Dories has backed her.

So a key tricky issue, the NI protocol.

I don't pretend to understand Irish politics snd I think few others outside the island do either. For me it's an issue for the Northern Ireland people. Not their politicians, not the UK government and certainly not the EU.

We need a full consultation up to and including a referendum if necessary with no options off the table. Ditch the protocol, change it, keep it. Even reunification if that emerged as a favoured option. There will never be 100% agreement but it is their democratic choice.

[Onelife]

Grant Shapp has just pulled out of the race and is now supporting Sunak…. the way this is going we’ll end up with the same old cabinet minus Boris