Boris backs out – Gove goes for it – May may have it as race for number 10 gets underway

[webfact]

Boris backs out – Gove goes for it – May may have it as race for number 10 gets underway
Produced by Beatriz Beiras



LONDON: -- They are up and running and the prize is the key to Number 10 Downing Street. It proved to be a day of surprises as the starters flag went up for the contenders.

Home Secretary Theresa May confirmed what many had expected that she would run. She had maintained a low profile during the run up to the referendum.

The first surprise was the announcement from Justice Minister Michael Gove that he would stand.

That was topped a few hours later as the one-time favourite and close ally of Michael Gove threw in the towel. Boris Johnson had seemed to be chasing the top job since he put his weight behind the Leave campaign.

“The last thing I wanted was to go against David Cameron or the government. But after a great deal of heartache I don’t think there is anything else I can do. I will be advocating “Vote Leave,“he told reporters earlier this year.

Michael Gove’s late entry into the race after pledging his support to Boris Johnson has been likened to the plot of a Shakespeare play with bodies everywhere.

Gove had at one time denied he had ambitions to become PM. The former journalist was seen as the intellect behind the Leave campaign.

“Europe’s leaders have put ideology ahead of security. They’ve pursued projects like the single currency and the borderless Schengen zone which have weakened our continent’s resilience,” he said at a Leave campaign rally.

The odds are starting to stack up in favour of Theresa May appointed Home Secretary in David Cameron’s first cabinet in 2010.

The daughter of a Church of England clergyman is regarded as a Eurosceptic and on the right wing of the Tory Party.

But either out of belief or political calculation she joined the Remain camp alongside David Cameron but she did not actively campaign for the UK to stay within the bloc. How much could that split opinion and play against her?

“She has played what some have thought is a very canny game, in the sense of being pro-remain, but so tepidly so if you blinked you would have missed it. I wonder whether she hasn’t sat on the fence to such a point that actually people aren’t willing to vote for her, in the sense that she’s managed to irritate both the remainers and the leavers by not committing herself wholeheartedly,” opined Professor Anand Menon Professor of European Politics and European Affairs, Kings College, London

Theresa May’s background contrasts sharply with that of outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron who was educated at Britain’s most exclusive school, Eton College.

The 59-year-old attended a state-school. She has set out to appeal to ordinary Britons and said in the past that the government has to work for all, not just the privileged few.

Her strength she said is “getting on with the job”.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-07-01

[webfact]

Boris bows out: UK in shock as Johnson drops leadership bid
By JILL LAWLESS

LONDON (AP) — In a real-life political drama mixing Shakespearean tragedy with "House of Cards," Britain's victorious anti-EU campaigner Boris Johnson saw his chances of leading his country evaporate Thursday after the defection of a key ally.

The former London mayor dropped his campaign to become Conservative Party leader and prime minister after Justice Secretary Michael Gove abruptly withdrew his support for Johnson and announced he would run himself.

Johnson, a prominent campaigner for Britain's withdrawal from the 28-nation European Union, told a news conference where he was expected to announce his candidacy that the next Conservative leader would need to unite the party and ensure Britain's standing in the world.

"Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me," he said to the astonishment of gathered journalists and supporters.

Johnson paraphrased Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," saying it was "a time not to fight against the tide of history but to take that tide at the flood and sail on to fortune." It appeared to be a dig at Gove — the reference is to a line spoken by Brutus, the Roman leader's ally turned assassin.

Others drew a more contemporary parallel.

"It makes 'House of Cards' look like 'Teletubbies,'" Conservative lawmaker Nigel Evans told the BBC.

Johnson's departure makes Gove and Home Secretary Theresa May the favorites among five contenders to lead the Conservatives.

It is an unexpected twist in a career that has seen the 52-year-old Johnson serve as journalist, lawmaker and mayor, building a public profile on Latin quips, cycling and rumpled eccentricity while nurturing a poorly concealed ambition to lead his country.

Johnson's decision to break with longtime ally Prime Minister David Cameron and back the "leave" side in Britain's EU referendum seemed to have paid off when Cameron announced he would resign after last week's vote in favor of exiting the bloc.

Cameron's announcement triggered a Conservative leadership race in which Johnson was expected be a front-runner, with Gove as his campaign manager.

The two men had campaigned together to yank Britain from the EU. But since their unexpected victory, they have been accused of failing to lay out concrete plans for Britain's divorce from the EU.

Johnson addressed the issue in a Daily Telegraph column that seemed to say Britain would continue to enjoy most of the benefits of EU membership — a claim dismissed by European leaders as wildly unrealistic. That fueled concern among Conservatives who felt Johnson lacks the attention to detail to be a leader.

Gove, a former journalist on the Rupert Murdoch-owned Times newspaper, had long disclaimed any ambition to be Britain's leader. Asked earlier this month if he would run, he said: "Count me out."

Gove tried to explain the 180-degree turn Thursday, saying the country "needed someone who would be able to build a team, lead and unite."

"Boris is an amazing and an impressive person, but I've realized in the last few days that Boris isn't capable of building that team and providing that unity," he said.

The first public signs of a split between Johnson and Gove came in an email from Gove's wife, newspaper columnist Sarah Vine, obtained by Sky News on Wednesday. It suggested that Gove should ensure he had specific guarantees from Johnson before backing the latter's bid. Vine added that influential media barons Murdoch and Paul Dacre, editor of the right-wing Daily Mail, "instinctively dislike" Johnson.

Steven Fielding, professor of politics at the University of Nottingham, said Johnson "wasn't trusted enough by the people who really wield power in British politics — Rupert Murdoch and Paul Dacre."

"Gove, as Rupert Murdoch's representative in politics, basically knifed him," Fielding said.

The drama was a reminder of past ruthlessness in the Conservative Party, which has a history of overturning its leaders. Even its most successful prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, was ousted by her own party in 1990.

Britain's main opposition Labour Party is also in turmoil, but is finding it harder to change its leadership. Party chief Jeremy Corbyn is under intense pressure to resign after losing a confidence vote among his lawmakers. He says he still has the support of the party rank-and-file and of several influential trade unions.

By Thursday, the situation had reached a stalemate: Corbyn would not resign and no Labour legislator had yet come forward to challenge him.

Apart from Gove and May, contenders for the Conservative leadership are Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom and former Defense Secretary Liam Fox.

Conservative lawmakers will choose two finalists before more than 100,000 party members select the winner in a postal ballot. The result will be announced on Sept. 9.

The bookies' early favorite is 59-year-old May, who is seen as a safe pair of hands as the country struggles to disentangle itself from the EU. Her six years as Britain's interior minister, considered one of the toughest jobs in politics, gives her credibility to deal with the EU on the issue of immigration, sure to be one of the thorniest topics in the exit talks.

Although May supported remaining in the EU during the referendum campaign, she said she would respect the vote result.

"The United Kingdom will leave the EU," she said, pledging to create a new government department devoted to negotiating Britain's "sensible and orderly" departure from the bloc.

The new prime minister will also have to deal with an economy weakened by the EU vote. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said Thursday that the economy had suffered a "large, negative shock."

"The economic outlook has deteriorated and some monetary policy easing will likely be required over the summer," he said — but cautioned there was only so much the central bank can do to ease the pain.

What, if any, role Johnson will play in a new government is unclear. But Johnson has bounced back before, and few would rule out an eventual return to front-line politics by one of Britain's great political survivors.

"Knowing Boris Johnson, he probably doesn't think this is the last chance for him," said Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London.

___

Associated Press writers Gregory Katz and Raphael Satter contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-01

[awayego]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

[pitrevie]

Michael Heseltine: ‘Johnson is like a general who leads his army to the sound of guns and at the sight of the battlefield abandoned the field’. I think that about sums it up. Now up steps the man who said, "he'll sign a piece of parchment in his blood to prove he doesn't want to be PM." and "People in this country have had enough of experts,”. I don't think even the Tory party are stupid enough to elect Gove as leader so that means we will probably get May who campaigned to stay in but is now saying she will negotiate for us to come out.

It reminds me of a poem I learnt as a child.

The Grand old Duke of York he had ten thousand men

He marched them up to the top of the hill

And he marched them down again.

When they were up, they were up

And when they were down, they were down

And when they were only halfway up

They were neither up nor down.

[SgtRock]

Where the < > is Guy Fawkes when you need him ?

[Jip99]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are delusional.

Fortunately, democracy allows you to keep on dreaming.

[nauseus]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformationpeddled and lies by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

Misinformation and lies are exactly what have been sold to the UK voters since 1975.

[RuamRudy]

"The odds are starting to stack up in favour of Theresa May..."

Scary - I read an article last week which described her to be like 'Thatcher without the sympathy'...

[cumgranosalum]

for some days Boris has looked a bit depressed or confused, so he probably knew that he was doomed. He was also pretty pro-EU. Looks like he's been out manoeuvred.

[Suradit69]

Michael Gove’s late entry into the race after pledging his support to Boris Johnson has been likened to the plot of a Shakespeare play with bodies everywhere.

Or possibly the plot for a new Carry On movie ... Carry On Politicking

Edited July 1, 2016 by Suradit69

[SgtRock]

Michael Gove’s late entry into the race after pledging his support to Boris Johnson has been likened to the plot of a Shakespeare play with bodies everywhere.

Or possibly the plot for a new Carry On movie ... Carry On Politicking

Very bad comparison

Carry on films were very UN-PC and actually quite funny.

[daveAustin]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are peeing in the wind, friend, and are as green as most other remainers. There will be no back-tracking on the popular vote, lest you want angry people in the streets and decades of turmoil. The race for PM is all about how best to move forward (not some lame plan to stop exit), and neither the uncharismatic Gove nor snarky May are up to it... the latter will deliver more of the 'established' same. You won't like this, but the only kind of person to move Britain on is Farage... a straight-talker that knows business and has worked the financial world, is actually proud to be British and understands how much of an abortion the EU is.

[SgtRock]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are peeing in the wind, friend, and are as green as most other remainers. There will be no back-tracking on the popular vote, lest you want angry people in the streets and decades of turmoil. The race for PM is all about how best to move forward (not some lame plan to stop exit), and neither the uncharismatic Gove nor snarky May are up to it... the latter will deliver more of the 'established' same. You won't like this, but the only kind of person to move Britain on is Farage... a straight-talker that knows business and has worked the financial world, is actually proud to be British and understands how much of an abortion the EU is.

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

[kayo]

I am by and large in agreement with Aweyego's stance, however to throw in my 5 baht's worth (actually Riel where I am), I think DC played his cards exactly right. The pig shagger had no desire to be in charge of the exit, and frankly who could blame him, and this is playing out like a real life house of cards. BJ, who has been anti-EU for the past 20 years, is the coward, as his victory against Europe has effectively cost him his otherwise (nearly) guaranteed tenure as Prime Minister. It's all fun & games. Long live Hun Sen.

[Baerboxer]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

There is quite a debate going on with constitutional law experts on whether the government are entitled to implement the decision of a referendum without first receiving authority from parliament or if that can only be done following a parliamentary vote.

From what I've seen so far about 80% say it must go to the UK parliament who must vote on it. 20% suggest there are ways around that and the government could just do it.

The only things clear are that this was really about Tory in-fighting, politicians playing games for their own good and happily gambling with the country's and peoples future and a widespread amount of down right lying and false promises.

Those who voted to leave as a protest against austerity, establishment arrogance, or were swayed by the blame everything on immigration and the EU mob might soon be wondering what they've now got instead. In the meantime, someone needs to decide what the hell to do to get out of this fast stagnating cock up.

[Diplomatico]

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

Question about this....based upon what I've read the past few days, Farage doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with the EU leaders/MEPs. The BBC's take is that Theresa May would be welcomed by that same group. Wouldn't it be better from a negotiating standpoint to have someone who has a good working relationship with the EU as the leader of the withdrawal and its related negotiations? (I'm not from the UK so I don't pretend to know all of the intricacies of your politics.)

[yardrunner]

Michael Gove’s late entry into the race after pledging his support to Boris Johnson has been likened to the plot of a Shakespeare play with bodies everywhere.

Or possibly the plot for a new Carry On movie ... Carry On Politicking

Very bad comparison

Carry on films were very UN-PC and actually quite funny.

a bit like Boris Johnson

[Baerboxer]

I am by and large in agreement with Aweyego's stance, however to throw in my 5 baht's worth (actually Riel where I am), I think DC played his cards exactly right. The pig shagger had no desire to be in charge of the exit, and frankly who could blame him, and this is playing out like a real life house of cards. BJ, who has been anti-EU for the past 20 years, is the coward, as his victory against Europe has effectively cost him his otherwise (nearly) guaranteed tenure as Prime Minister. It's all fun & games. Long live Hun Sen.

BJ hasn't been anti-EU in the past. When mayor of London he a few years ago he stated he'd never vote to leave.

Simply a chancer who tries to use his self perceived charisma and say whatever he thinks people want to hear at that particular time.

He's been caught out lying, contradicting himself and is really only ever interested in himself.

Thankfully, Cameron made sure any chalice passed to BJ would be well poisoned. And the cowardly BJ ain't gonna fight. So we won't have the embarrassment of this liar as PM.

[yardrunner]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are peeing in the wind, friend, and are as green as most other remainers. There will be no back-tracking on the popular vote, lest you want angry people in the streets and decades of turmoil. The race for PM is all about how best to move forward (not some lame plan to stop exit), and neither the uncharismatic Gove nor snarky May are up to it... the latter will deliver more of the 'established' same. You won't like this, but the only kind of person to move Britain on is Farage... a straight-talker that knows business and has worked the financial world, is actually proud to be British and understands how much of an abortion the EU is.

With Nigel Farage lying about exchange rates saying that Brexit was having no effect on exchange rates. When on the day the referendum was announced the GBP rate went from 54 Baht to the pound (The Baht follows the US dollar closely) to 50 Baht to the GBP and recovering slightly to 52 when opinion polls showed remain in front and then going in to freefall after the referendum result was announced and now at 46 Baht to 1 GBP

[SgtRock]

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

Question about this....based upon what I've read the past few days, Farage doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with the EU leaders/MEPs. The BBC's take is that Theresa May would be welcomed by that same group. Wouldn't it be better from a negotiating standpoint to have someone who has a good working relationship with the EU as the leader of the withdrawal and its related negotiations? (I'm not from the UK so I don't pretend to know all of the intricacies of your politics.)

I will act like a Politician and throw that right back at you

Who would you rather have negotiating ? Someone who has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the EU or someone who has been sitting on the outside but has a good relationship with the EU ?

To answer your question. I believe that Farage would drive a deal with no thoughts for his own Political life and which was done in the best interest of the UK.

I cannot say that any of the current cutting crew would do the same.

[NongKhaiKid]

Great script, get the country into a god awful mess then take time out to stab each other in the back while claiming to be the only one fit to lead the nation. On the other side of the House they're having they're own fun times too.

Born leaders everyone of them !

[SgtRock]

Or possibly the plot for a new Carry On movie ... Carry On Politicking

Very bad comparison

Carry on films were very UN-PC and actually quite funny.

a bit like Boris Johnson

You mistake me for someone else.

I find nothing funny about Boris Johnson.

[SgtRock]

Great script, get the country into a god awful mess then take time out to stab each other in the back while claiming to be the only one fit to lead the nation. On the other side of the House they're having they're own fun times too.

Born leaders everyone of them !

As I have said on sooooo many threads.

Politicians and leaders should, never ever, be mentioned in the same sentence.

[Baerboxer]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are peeing in the wind, friend, and are as green as most other remainers. There will be no back-tracking on the popular vote, lest you want angry people in the streets and decades of turmoil. The race for PM is all about how best to move forward (not some lame plan to stop exit), and neither the uncharismatic Gove nor snarky May are up to it... the latter will deliver more of the 'established' same. You won't like this, but the only kind of person to move Britain on is Farage... a straight-talker that knows business and has worked the financial world, is actually proud to be British and understands how much of an abortion the EU is.

Farage was called out as a liar in the EU Parliament - and wasn't able to defend his position. He also, over his 17 years as a MEP has a very poor attendance record.

He barked and hissed and to be fair spoke of some of the issues and failures withing the EU which concern and annoy many.

But seriously as a PM or negotiator - frigging disaster. Notice how quiet he's been since the vote? His MEP gravy train is going to dry up, his party's achieved it's goal (probably) and he's not got any answers for questions of what to do next or more specifically how to do it.

The ones who are green are the ones who have no idea about UK constitutional law or parliamentary and government procedure. Cameron and he remain supporters and Boris, Gove, Farage and the Brexit supporters all knew or should've known that simply holding a referendum has no effect other than gauging the wishes of the electorate, or at least those prepared to make the effort and vote. They all, Farage included, thought remain would win so the constitutional issues wouldn't arise. All got caught out and serves them right for being so arrogant.

The next PM will have a devil's own and thankless job to sort it out and sort it out in accordance with parliamentary and legal requirements whilst respecting the wishes of the electorate.

[Jip99]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are peeing in the wind, friend, and are as green as most other remainers. There will be no back-tracking on the popular vote, lest you want angry people in the streets and decades of turmoil. The race for PM is all about how best to move forward (not some lame plan to stop exit), and neither the uncharismatic Gove nor snarky May are up to it... the latter will deliver more of the 'established' same. You won't like this, but the only kind of person to move Britain on is Farage... a straight-talker that knows business and has worked the financial world, is actually proud to be British and understands how much of an abortion the EU is.

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

I would actually tend to agree with Diplomatico's post in which he suggests that May could be a better 'fit' with the EU (and therefore more acceptable to the institutions etc).

Whilst I have much admiration for what Nigel Farage has achieved he may just be too confrontational for the task. Whether true or not, you can't as a political leader accuse fellow Euro MPs of not having done a days work in their life. Boris is also a bit of a victim but I don't see him being ready for the position of PM.

I think May has the balls for the job and her credibility might be higher as she was not part of the Brexit campaign.

It looks like Farage and Johnson may turn out to be like 'pace setters' in an athletics race. Let's hope that May can emulate Roger Bannister in status, performance and achievements.

[Baerboxer]

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

Question about this....based upon what I've read the past few days, Farage doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with the EU leaders/MEPs. The BBC's take is that Theresa May would be welcomed by that same group. Wouldn't it be better from a negotiating standpoint to have someone who has a good working relationship with the EU as the leader of the withdrawal and its related negotiations? (I'm not from the UK so I don't pretend to know all of the intricacies of your politics.)

I will act like a Politician and throw that right back at you

Who would you rather have negotiating ? Someone who has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the EU or someone who has been sitting on the outside but has a good relationship with the EU ?

To answer your question. I believe that Farage would drive a deal with no thoughts for his own Political life and which was done in the best interest of the UK.

I cannot say that any of the current cutting crew would do the same.

You are joking right? Farage would ignore his own interests?

He rubs the EU politicians, bureaucrats, and many others up the wrong way. Sure people like are sometimes needed but as a negotiator or leader?

[Eclipse]

You are joking right? Farage would ignore his own interests?

He rubs the EU politicians, bureaucrats, and many others up the wrong way. Sure people like are sometimes needed but as a negotiator or leader?

Yep. After watching his cringeworthy performance in the European Parliament a couple of days ago we can only conclude the odious little turd is a total embarrassment to himself and his country.

An obnoxious clown on the same level as Johnson.

As for Cameron? He has sailed his country right down the river. That is his legacy.

Edited July 1, 2016 by Eclipse

[SgtRock]

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

Question about this....based upon what I've read the past few days, Farage doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with the EU leaders/MEPs. The BBC's take is that Theresa May would be welcomed by that same group. Wouldn't it be better from a negotiating standpoint to have someone who has a good working relationship with the EU as the leader of the withdrawal and its related negotiations? (I'm not from the UK so I don't pretend to know all of the intricacies of your politics.)

I will act like a Politician and throw that right back at you

Who would you rather have negotiating ? Someone who has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the EU or someone who has been sitting on the outside but has a good relationship with the EU ?

To answer your question. I believe that Farage would drive a deal with no thoughts for his own Political life and which was done in the best interest of the UK.

I cannot say that any of the current cutting crew would do the same.

You are joking right? Farage would ignore his own interests?

He rubs the EU politicians, bureaucrats, and many others up the wrong way. Sure people like are sometimes needed but as a negotiator or leader?

No joke.

For all his faults I would rather have him negotiating with the EU than any of the current pansies vying for '' Leadership '' of the 2 main parties.

It is perfectly plausible that '' Divorce '' proceedings will get rather messy. When things get messy, I will take someone who is prepared to get their hands dirty over a PC driven pansy any day.

I never mentioned him as a '' Leader '' I have already made my position very clear on politicians and leaders.

[SgtRock]

Strange how the world seems to be taking it for granted that Brexit is now a foregone conclusion – it certainly is not.

As a Remain voter, and pro-European, the pessimism felt in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result is steadily giving way to optimism, particularly when hearing of the withdrawal from the Tory leadership/PM race by BJ (now there's an unfortunate double entendre!).

Also pleasing to see the misinformation and lies peddled by Farage and his ilk being shown to be exactly that as reality dawns on many of the misguided Leavers.

I now have little doubt that Brexit will be voted down in Parliament and this whole sad, sorry and superfluous misadventure into pseudo-democracy will be swept under the carpet where it belongs. We elect MP's to Parliament to make informed decisions about serious, often very complex, matters on our behalf. Cameron abrogated that responsibility by handing such a critical decision over to a largely uninformed electorate, easily swayed by emotive and sensationalised arguments, often devoid of both facts and humanity, from a bunch of power-hungry political opportunists who served no-one's interests but their own.

Best case scenario, for Remainers at least, would be Theresa May as PM pushing Parliament to vote down Brexit, in which case she would show more balls than Cameron (bloody appeasing wimp!).

How wonderful would be the Brexiters' reaction to winning the battle but losing the war! That would certainly wipe the smug, gloating smirk off the Farage visage!

You are peeing in the wind, friend, and are as green as most other remainers. There will be no back-tracking on the popular vote, lest you want angry people in the streets and decades of turmoil. The race for PM is all about how best to move forward (not some lame plan to stop exit), and neither the uncharismatic Gove nor snarky May are up to it... the latter will deliver more of the 'established' same. You won't like this, but the only kind of person to move Britain on is Farage... a straight-talker that knows business and has worked the financial world, is actually proud to be British and understands how much of an abortion the EU is.

As much as I do not have much time for Farage or UKIP.

I tend to agree with you. The current bunch of useless jellyfish are not the answer to taking the UK forward.

Farage would certainly have a better attempt at it than any of the fools that are currently busy backstabbing and cutting each others throat.

I would actually tend to agree with Diplomatico's post in which he suggests that May could be a better 'fit' with the EU (and therefore more acceptable to the institutions etc).

I think May has the balls for the job and her credibility might be higher as she was not part of the Brexit campaign.

I disagree with you. I am not really a '' who is the best fit '' or '' who is more acceptable '' to the institutions guy.

I want someone to get a job done.

On her record as Home Secretary I would say that she is not the person to get that job done.

Farage is not the correct person either, but to me, sadly, he looks the most capable out of the rest of the motley crew that are currently acting like snakes in the grass.

[stag4]

You are joking right? Farage would ignore his own interests?

He rubs the EU politicians, bureaucrats, and many others up the wrong way. Sure people like are sometimes needed but as a negotiator or leader?

Yep. After watching his cringeworthy performance in the European Parliament a couple of days ago we can only conclude the odious little turd is a total embarrassment to himself and his country.

An obnoxious clown on the same level as Johnson.

As for Cameron? He has sailed his country right down the river. That is his legacy.

Nothing cringeworthy about it at all in my opinion.

He has been telling Herr Junker, Tusk and the rest of the EU beaurocrats exactly what he thinks of them and their anti democratic ambitions for a USSR type dictatorship for nearly twenty years.

Brilliant speech once again stating Britain will be by no means the last to leave.

I laughed when he told them that very few of them have ever had a proper job or were involved in trade or business,

He had his moment of triumph and I for one applaud him