Snap General Election called

[Banquo]

that would be colossally stupid.

Probably agreed, although it would depend on how Labour selected a new leader. They'd have to have a pared down process and, if Starmer is fined and resigns, you'd expect that Rayner would likely be in the same boat.

There's a reasonable chance that Labour pick someone else boring and staid and take an age over doing it, which is probably what the Tories are thinking. However, I think a lot of people would see it as cynical, Boris is the least popular man in the country, and there's the start of a huge recession and cost of living crisis, so it's a terrible time for an election even without the risk that Labour quickly select someone vaguely charismatic and willing to go with some popular socialist policies that play well in an era when it seems like the government is protecting the few, not the many (to coin a phrase).

I can't see how they will fine Starmer though. Any decision to do that is going to be horrendously partisan, given the background of Boris only getting one fine for waaaay worse, plus Starmer heaping on the pressure by emphasising the consequences. I don't see them having the minerals.

Puja

If I got fined for that I would appeal. Starmer has done nothing wrong (nor Rayner) from what I can read in the press.

But, I do see the logic of a quick poll. Labour will be in confusion and it would have to elect someone very quickly or else the public might not want to take a risk on Corbyn mark 2.

There is only logic if they think Boris can detoxify himself and inflation etc be reversed; toxicity and the economy are killers (setting aside incompetence).

[Puja]

that would be colossally stupid.

Probably agreed, although it would depend on how Labour selected a new leader. They'd have to have a pared down process and, if Starmer is fined and resigns, you'd expect that Rayner would likely be in the same boat.

There's a reasonable chance that Labour pick someone else boring and staid and take an age over doing it, which is probably what the Tories are thinking. However, I think a lot of people would see it as cynical, Boris is the least popular man in the country, and there's the start of a huge recession and cost of living crisis, so it's a terrible time for an election even without the risk that Labour quickly select someone vaguely charismatic and willing to go with some popular socialist policies that play well in an era when it seems like the government is protecting the few, not the many (to coin a phrase).

I can't see how they will fine Starmer though. Any decision to do that is going to be horrendously partisan, given the background of Boris only getting one fine for waaaay worse, plus Starmer heaping on the pressure by emphasising the consequences. I don't see them having the minerals.

Puja

If I got fined for that I would appeal. Starmer has done nothing wrong (nor Rayner) from what I can read in the press.

But, I do see the logic of a quick poll. Labour will be in confusion and it would have to elect someone very quickly or else the public might not want to take a risk on Corbyn mark 2.

I agree that it doesn't appear that Starmer has done anything wrong, but I am a little bit concerned about Durham re-opening the investigation after their initial response of "Nah, nothing in it." Not that I especially think he has done anything, but I'm concerned there is the possibility that they want to look better than the Met by taking a hard line.

I'm actually torn as to what I want to happen here. I'm not a great Starmer fan, so I wouldn't mourn his leadership, and it is tempting to think of the idea of a poll at the point where this government is at its weakest. However, it would give the Conservatives at minimum of a two week head start in campaigning and allow their rabid press corps to spin it as "See, Boris isn't so bad, the other side are guilty too," and we end up with 5 more years of Johnson.

Puja

[Puja]

Nadine Dorries getting absolutely rinsed by all and sundry for appearing at a Rugby League World Cup promo event and talking about how she always loved rugby league and she remembers fondly the drop goal that won it in 2003.









Puja

[Puja]

Plus the latest Tory MP involved in sexual assault, after getting drunk and groping strangers, is called Mr Pincher. Just wanted to share that one.

Puja

[Stom]

OMG, that last one, Michael Tate...that is soooo a parody account, even if unintentional. Amazing.

Seriously, go have a read, fantastic.

[Sandydragon]

Nadine Dorries getting absolutely rinsed by all and sundry for appearing at a Rugby League World Cup promo event and talking about how she always loved rugby league and she remembers fondly the drop goal that won it in 2003.









Puja

This kind of shit happens and she isnt going to know every detail of every sport she might have to get involved with. But, unless you are going to prepare well then don't try and pretend that you know what you're talking about. Im sure the RL community would rather she rocked up interested but with no knowledge than pretend she has been secretly a supporter since the 2003 RWC!

[Sandydragon]

OMG, that last one, Michael Tate...that is soooo a parody account, even if unintentional. Amazing.

Seriously, go have a read, fantastic.

Another MP enobled for being an arse licker

[Stom]

OMG, that last one, Michael Tate...that is soooo a parody account, even if unintentional. Amazing.

Seriously, go have a read, fantastic.

Another MP enobled for being an arse licker

No, pretty sure it's a parody account, lol. Just subtle enough to get through. But the clips and images chosen give it away. It's excellent.

[Puja]

OMG, that last one, Michael Tate...that is soooo a parody account, even if unintentional. Amazing.

Seriously, go have a read, fantastic.

Another MP enobled for being an arse licker

No, pretty sure it's a parody account, lol. Just subtle enough to get through. But the clips and images chosen give it away. It's excellent.

Plus the name - Michael Take -> Mickey Take. And the hashtag of GoNads.

Admittedly, I did require someone pointing both those things out to me, as I didn't realise it was intentional parody when first I saw it. Poe's Law in full effect with the ridiculousness of this government.

Puja

[Son of Mathonwy]

Nadine Dorries getting absolutely rinsed by all and sundry for appearing at a Rugby League World Cup promo event and talking about how she always loved rugby league and she remembers fondly the drop goal that won it in 2003.

Puja

This kind of shit happens and she isnt going to know every detail of every sport she might have to get involved with. But, unless you are going to prepare well then don't try and pretend that you know what you're talking about. Im sure the RL community would rather she rocked up interested but with no knowledge than pretend she has been secretly a supporter since the 2003 RWC!

It's what happens when you lack both intelligence and integrity.

[Sandydragon]

Another MP enobled for being an arse licker

No, pretty sure it's a parody account, lol. Just subtle enough to get through. But the clips and images chosen give it away. It's excellent.

Plus the name - Michael Take -> Mickey Take. And the hashtag of GoNads.

Admittedly, I did require someone pointing both those things out to me, as I didn't realise it was intentional parody when first I saw it. Poe's Law in full effect with the ridiculousness of this government.

Puja

Fair play, it could easily have been another MP Ive never heard of, but as parody its far too close to reality.

[Which Tyler]

Plus the latest Tory MP involved in sexual assault, after getting drunk and groping strangers, is called Mr Pincher. Just wanted to share that one.

Worth noting, his first comment on it, before details got out, was that he "got drunk and embarrassed myself"; which... doesn't quite do justice to "sexually assaulted 2 people"

[Stom]

It's been quiet in Westminster for about a week, so we were due another scandal. And we get one with Pincher.

If Labour are instigating the timing of these leaks and these scandals, they're playing an absolute blinder. Whoever is behind the timing of these revelations is playing the game perfectly to utterly dismantle the governments electability.

Nothing major, just scandal after scandal, each calling back to previous government decisions.

They just need to keep it up for another year... With any other government, you'd think they'd gone too early and there wouldn't be enough scandals. But with this one...there are definitely 52 more scandals left in this group of charlatans.

[Sandydragon]

It's been quiet in Westminster for about a week, so we were due another scandal. And we get one with Pincher.

If Labour are instigating the timing of these leaks and these scandals, they're playing an absolute blinder. Whoever is behind the timing of these revelations is playing the game perfectly to utterly dismantle the governments electability.

Nothing major, just scandal after scandal, each calling back to previous government decisions.

They just need to keep it up for another year... With any other government, you'd think they'd gone too early and there wouldn't be enough scandals. But with this one...there are definitely 52 more scandals left in this group of charlatans.

It almost doesn't matter (given that the remaining Conservative support just don't care) but in another way its important to keep floating voters annoyed enough that they decide not to vote Conservative.

But 2 years is a lifetime in politics and there is a long way to go and plenty of time for the public to lose interest (another risk as these scandals all blend into 1).

Unless Tory MPs change the rules and have another leadership vote to oust Johnson, or enough of them put country before party and support Labour in a vote of no confidence (very unlikely). That might change if the parliamentary standards committee is particularly damning. I understand that will be live on TV which will keep some pressure on.

[Sandydragon]

Javid has resigned!!! Claims that British people want integrity in government. Could this be the beginning of the end?

[Sandydragon]

And Sunak has gone too.

Surely he can’t bluster this one out?

[Which Tyler]

And Sunak has gone too.

Surely he can’t bluster this one out?

He'll damn well try though!

[Sandydragon]

Dorries seen at number 10. Is she going to get health or the chancellor role?

[Which Tyler]

Dorries seen at number 10. Is she going to get health or the chancellor role?

Someone pass the brain-bleach

[Stom]

Have they shot their load too soon? No way to call a vote of no confidence in the government unless BJ is somehow teflon coated! If he fails to resign or the Tory party somehow fail to get rid of him, Labour could have a good chance to force a vote of no confidence, with the real possibility many Tories will vote with them.

Then they somehow need to a win a general...

[Sandydragon]

Have they shot their load too soon? No way to call a vote of no confidence in the government unless BJ is somehow teflon coated! If he fails to resign or the Tory party somehow fail to get rid of him, Labour could have a good chance to force a vote of no confidence, with the real possibility many Tories will vote with them.

Then they somehow need to a win a general...

Hard to tell at the moment. Other big figures in the cabinet have announced the at they aren’t going to reign but tomorrow will be interesting. Boris isn’t obliged to do anything but if he can’t form a government then he can’t govern. But I suspect that enough cronies will agree to take posts to keep him in power for a bit longer.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Have they shot their load too soon? No way to call a vote of no confidence in the government unless BJ is somehow teflon coated! If he fails to resign or the Tory party somehow fail to get rid of him, Labour could have a good chance to force a vote of no confidence, with the real possibility many Tories will vote with them.
Then they somehow need to a win a general...

Hard to tell at the moment. Other big figures in the cabinet have announced the at they aren’t going to reign but tomorrow will be interesting. Boris isn’t obliged to do anything but if he can’t form a government then he can’t govern. But I suspect that enough cronies will agree to take posts to keep him in power for a bit longer.

I have no idea why this was the unacceptable thing that forced Javid and Sunak's hands.

There's zero chance of the Tories voting for a general election.

Boris will stay unless a lot more resign or privately (as a group) threaten to. I imagine he can find droves of loyal incompetents to fill up ministerial positions if need be.

Truss is positioning herself as Mark Antony to Javid and Sunak's Brutus and Cassius. Except that Boris is still alive....

[Sandydragon]

Have they shot their load too soon? No way to call a vote of no confidence in the government unless BJ is somehow teflon coated! If he fails to resign or the Tory party somehow fail to get rid of him, Labour could have a good chance to force a vote of no confidence, with the real possibility many Tories will vote with them.
Then they somehow need to a win a general...

Hard to tell at the moment. Other big figures in the cabinet have announced the at they aren’t going to reign but tomorrow will be interesting. Boris isn’t obliged to do anything but if he can’t form a government then he can’t govern. But I suspect that enough cronies will agree to take posts to keep him in power for a bit longer.

I have no idea why this was the unacceptable thing that forced Javid and Sunak's hands.

There's zero chance of the Tories voting for a general election.

Boris will stay unless a lot more resign or privately (as a group) threaten to. I imagine he can find droves of loyal incompetents to fill up ministerial positions if need be.

Truss is positioning herself as Mark Antony to Javid and Sunak's Brutus and Cassius. Except that Boris is still alive....

Who gets to play Cleopatra?

And yes this seems like a strange thing to finally decide to resign over.

[Banquo]

Have they shot their load too soon? No way to call a vote of no confidence in the government unless BJ is somehow teflon coated! If he fails to resign or the Tory party somehow fail to get rid of him, Labour could have a good chance to force a vote of no confidence, with the real possibility many Tories will vote with them.
Then they somehow need to a win a general...

Hard to tell at the moment. Other big figures in the cabinet have announced the at they aren’t going to reign but tomorrow will be interesting. Boris isn’t obliged to do anything but if he can’t form a government then he can’t govern. But I suspect that enough cronies will agree to take posts to keep him in power for a bit longer.

I have no idea why this was the unacceptable thing that forced Javid and Sunak's hands.

There's zero chance of the Tories voting for a general election.

Boris will stay unless a lot more resign or privately (as a group) threaten to. I imagine he can find droves of loyal incompetents to fill up ministerial positions if need be.

Truss is positioning herself as Mark Antony to Javid and Sunak's Brutus and Cassius. Except that Boris is still alive....

Sunaks letter is interesting reading

[Sandydragon]

Allegedly Boris wanted Truss to be chancellor but Zahawi threatened to quit if he didn’t get it. Boris is literally hanging on by the finger tips.

But I have a feeling he will survive. Unless some more big names step down tomorrow then he can continue and ride out the next year (assuming the 1922 doesn’t change the rules and there are no motions of no confidence that Tory MPs support).