Snap General Election called

[Digby]

On different note to the cause of trans people if there really have been senior civil servants briefing publicly against the Glorious Leader® then actually that's pretty serious, shouldn't be fobbed off, and should result in disciplinary action, to what level depends on what was said and in what context.

Agreed and it's pleasantly surprising to see no 10 taking it seriously and outside of party politics.

It's a bit of an odd accusation though - there's plenty of accusations to chuck against Corbyn, but I wouldn't have immediately leapt to "infirm and not being able to hold his own opinions." Possibly because the two Conservatove leadership candidates are unusually young?

Puja

Boris and Hunt would be older than Cameron when he took over and of a similar age to Thatcher and Major when they took over, so they're more usually aged if anything and May is the one who veers most from the norm in my lifetime

[Sandydragon]

On different note to the cause of trans people if there really have been senior civil servants briefing publicly against the Glorious Leader® then actually that's pretty serious, shouldn't be fobbed off, and should result in disciplinary action, to what level depends on what was said and in what context.

Agreed and it's pleasantly surprising to see no 10 taking it seriously and outside of party politics.

It's a bit of an odd accusation though - there's plenty of accusations to chuck against Corbyn, but I wouldn't have immediately leapt to "infirm and not being able to hold his own opinions." Possibly because the two Conservatove leadership candidates are unusually young?

Puja

In my opinion, Corbin is far from being an intellectual giant and does struggle to hold ingest any new information or argument, unless it’s presented to him by one of his advisors.

However, that has nothing to do with his age.

Seriously, this does require investigation and civil servants need to remain impartial if they are to keep the respect of their political leadership.

[Mellsblue]

For an organisation that, correctly, reacted so vehemently to criticism from the ERG, this ‘leak’ is incredibly hypocritical.
McDonnell now playing a blinder by demanding that Corbyn ask for official lines to open between himself and the CS to discuss how an incoming Lab govt would run the treasury. He’s a wily old fox is McDonnell.

[Digby]

It's clearly a time for leakers with Sir Kim Darroch, the UK's ambassador in Washington, having his various descriptions of Trump's administration as "inept" being published by the MoS. Whether this is a normal leak for money, an attempt to drive the US back to the table over Iran, or an attempt to shift positions on Brexit it's clearly unacceptable again that this story leak. If this is the standard it hugely undermines the ability for records of government activity to be kept, and it's in all out interests that we're able to more fully scrutinise government even if having to wait 30 years

[morepork]

Well it's had the desired effect on President/General Donald "thinskinned as irony" Trump. He says the Queen wot is a mate of mine is better at Brexit than Theresa May, who "didn't take his advice".

Lets inject Boris and Donnel's gametes into an a-nucleated host cell and see what grows.

[Puja]

It's clearly a time for leakers with Sir Kim Darroch, the UK's ambassador in Washington, having his various descriptions of Trump's administration as "inept" being published by the MoS. Whether this is a normal leak for money, an attempt to drive the US back to the table over Iran, or an attempt to shift positions on Brexit it's clearly unacceptable again that this story leak. If this is the standard it hugely undermines the ability for records of government activity to be kept, and it's in all out interests that we're able to more fully scrutinise government even if having to wait 30 years

You're not wrong. Our ambassador needs to be able to make candid reports without fear of them being made public, otherwise we'll end up with anodyne waffle devoid of any actual intelligence.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

It's clearly a time for leakers with Sir Kim Darroch, the UK's ambassador in Washington, having his various descriptions of Trump's administration as "inept" being published by the MoS. Whether this is a normal leak for money, an attempt to drive the US back to the table over Iran, or an attempt to shift positions on Brexit it's clearly unacceptable again that this story leak. If this is the standard it hugely undermines the ability for records of government activity to be kept, and it's in all out interests that we're able to more fully scrutinise government even if having to wait 30 years

You're not wrong. Our ambassador needs to be able to make candid reports without fear of them being made public, otherwise we'll end up with anodyne waffle devoid of any actual intelligence.

Puja

Boris?

[Puja]

It's clearly a time for leakers with Sir Kim Darroch, the UK's ambassador in Washington, having his various descriptions of Trump's administration as "inept" being published by the MoS. Whether this is a normal leak for money, an attempt to drive the US back to the table over Iran, or an attempt to shift positions on Brexit it's clearly unacceptable again that this story leak. If this is the standard it hugely undermines the ability for records of government activity to be kept, and it's in all out interests that we're able to more fully scrutinise government even if having to wait 30 years

You're not wrong. Our ambassador needs to be able to make candid reports without fear of them being made public, otherwise we'll end up with anodyne waffle devoid of any actual intelligence.

Puja

Boris?

Hey! I'm a lot of things, but that's just below the belt.

Puja

[Digby]

Some things always leak, but this is twice in quick succession we've had matters relating to or arguably relating to national security leaked, and that should be above party politics or naked self interest, though heaven knows how one explains that latter to such as Trump and Boris. Even supposing we leaked it on purpose to try and force the Whitehouse into the French led discussion with Iran it sets a horrible standard for all other diplomats, frankly someone should be going to jail, whether somebody also needs to go to emergency is of course open to question.

[twitchy]

[Sandydragon]

Well that restores my faith in the major defence against extremism, the common sense of the great British public.

[Digby]

From the BBC - Theresa May has said the growth of a "uncompromising absolutism" in UK and global politics risks poisoning debate and undermining democratic values.

Suggesting Theresa doesn't waste time on self awareness after failing I don't know how many times with the purity of vision that was May's deal for Brexit

[Digby]

Team Corbyn continue to say they'll deal with anti-Semitism, and that indeed there has been progress as they're happy to report Corbyn no longer considers the song Lets Go Fly a Kite to be about sending Jews soaring from atop the Shard.

[Which Tyler]

Just having a look at the parliamentary maths: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and ... e-parties/.

Conservative + DUP have 321 seats
Sinn Féin and Speaker don't vote (excepting tie-breaks for Bercow)
Everyone else has 320 seats.

There's 1 vacant in Brecon where they fired their tory MP, and the Tories are standing him again. PC, Green, CHUK and Renew (who?) have all stood aside in favour of the Lib Dem candidate who leads polls by 15%. This by-election is due 1st of August.

As of lunchtime today, Boris will have a "workable" majority of 1 (assuming no immediate resignations); which will most likely be down to 0 by the time they get back from holiday.


Q1: How many Tory MPs will resign the whip within 24 hours of Boris being announced? So before recess and the chance to kick-start a GE straight away - there's time post-recess, but barely.

Q2: Are there any independents that Boris could negotiate with to support the government? most are ex-labour and ex-conservative, so I doubt it, but there may be 1-2 out there. 

Q3: What happens if Boris can't commant a majority in parliament? Can he try his hand at minority governing (and can we imagine many worse candidates for doing so?) Or does he have to go to the queen and tell her that he can't build a government, and call a GE?

Q4: When Boris tries to deny reality and try a minority government - how long before someone else calls for a vote of no-confidence and force a GE?

Q5: How do potential Tory defections (whether to LibDem or independent, can't see CHUK getting any) change the maths? How about if they're big names.


Obviously, a GE doesn't solve anything, and will necessitate a grand-coalition of some description, probably involving 3 parties (Con + BnP + DUP could probably exist, albeit only in nightmares; but Lab + LibDem + SNP would slmost certainly require Corbyn's resignation)

[Mellsblue]

[Puja]

That is a spectacular resignation, although I'm not sure of the wisdom of signing it. Can't think it'll help him get another job.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

That is a spectacular resignation, although I'm not sure of the wisdom of signing it. Can't think it'll help him get another job.

Puja

Twitter is a pretty horrible place, and will hasten the end of the human race, but it has some glorious moments. This is one of them.

[Puja]

That is a spectacular resignation, although I'm not sure of the wisdom of signing it. Can't think it'll help him get another job.

Puja

Twitter is a pretty horrible place, and will hasten the end of the human race, but it has some glorious moments. This is one of them.

Even better, apparently O'Mara cares so little for doing his job that he's not even yet aware of the tweet's existence.

Puja

[ad_tigger]

I live in his constituency. Unsurprising

[twitchy]

Conservatives - "this is who we want to run the world, we have excellent judgement":

[Mellsblue]

[Digby]

Even better, apparently O'Mara cares so little for doing his job that he's not even yet aware of the tweet's existence.

Puja

I don't really know anything about him, though this latest coverage isn't positive, but even saying that does not tracking twitter equate much with not doing one's job as an MP?

[morepork]

That depends on whether one chooses Twatter a legitimate line of communication to one’s constituency. One cannot broadcast statements with effect and not follow them up, regardless of the conduit employed. See the Trumpets casual rendering of Afghanistan policy to the level of pest control as a recent worked example.

[Digby]

So the talk of tax cuts was shelved today, to bring it out at the opportune moment, or has Boris gone back on his word already?

[Stones of granite]

So the talk of tax cuts was shelved today, to bring it out at the opportune moment, or has Boris gone back on his word already?

It will be explained away by semantics as in “We send the EU £350 million a week. Let’s fund our NHS instead.” actually meaning something like "we're going to give the money to our mates".