UK General Discussion:The Rt. Hon Alex Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, Populist Hero

[brucejoel99]

Multiple journalists reporting that Theresa May has turned up to vote - wearing a ballgown.
Not sure whether she's finally embraced camp as an aesthetic, or she just has a fancy dinner reservation.
https://twitter.com/nickeardleybbc/status/1533862914679091202

I'd think that it's just for a later dinner engagement, but given her feelings about BoJo, it may be the VoNC itself that's the special occasion to celebrate. In any event, she's a true one-woman Ted Heath tribute act now & it's hilariously glorious.

[Cassius]

https://twitter.com/johnestevens/status/1533858511335079936https://twitter.com/johnestevens/status/1533857921804664837

Before the events of the last couple of months or so, I’d find it difficult to believe that even Tory MP’s could be this stupid/spineless. On the other hand, given what we’ve seen, who knows what kompromat the whips have amassed on them.

[Oryxslayer]

https://twitter.com/johnestevens/status/1533858511335079936https://twitter.com/johnestevens/status/1533857921804664837

Before the events of the last couple of months or so, I’d find it difficult to believe that even Tory MP’s could be this stupid/spineless. On the other hand, given what we’ve seen, who knows what kompromat the whips have amassed on them.

I mean the 'dissidents' to also use a word to apply to them collectively, have also claimed around 130 supporters, though obviously through private chats. All we can say is that May was in a much much better position, and those in the room are the only ones who truly know.

[Torrain]

John Lamont, (Scottish Tory in the the Borders region) has resigned as Liz Truss’ PPS, and publicly declared a vote against Johnson.
https://mobile.twitter.com/paulbranditv/status/1533867604766605315?s=21&t=9FqH_e-GCg-awmfF3sYoOA

[afleitch]

Honestly, assuming things go badly for his successor, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he resurfaces after the next GE for a comeback special.

Some variation on 'doing a Kevin Rudd' is not impossible, no...

Strangely I've had some thoughts, given the state of the available alternatives, that could end up applying to Theresa May.

[Blair]

Multiple journalists reporting that Theresa May has turned up to vote - wearing a ballgown.
Not sure whether she's finally embraced camp as an aesthetic, or she just has a fancy dinner reservation.

Up there with Dominic Grieve leading a Brexit rebellion in tails.

[Conservatopia]

Multiple journalists reporting that Theresa May has turned up to vote - wearing a ballgown.
Not sure whether she's finally embraced camp as an aesthetic, or she just has a fancy dinner reservation.

Up there with Dominic Grieve leading a Brexit rebellion in tails.

Remember when Cameron had to rush back to Parliament from a formal occasion at City Hall and was wearing a dinner jacket? It was some rebellion by JRM and Labour during the Coalition.

[MABA 2020]

Quite surprised this is happening, hadn't expected this today. I honestly think Boris will lose as it seems like his campaign to win the vote has been lacking and there isn't much of a compelling reason to keep him so he can limp on a while longer

[brucejoel99]

BoJo just voted with Ben Wallace & Andrew Griffith. There was no line: he walked straight in, voted, & left just as quickly.

[YL]

A couple of thoughts:

- If he loses narrowly, then that "I'd do it again" belongs in some Political Famous Last Words collection.
- If he wins by the sort of narrowish margin which seems likely if he wins at all, then it's got more to do with the perceived poor quality of the alternatives than his own "merits".

[brucejoel99]

A couple of thoughts:

- If he loses narrowly, then that "I'd do it again" belongs in some Political Famous Last Words collection.
- If he wins by the sort of narrowish margin which seems likely if he wins at all, then it's got more to do with the perceived poor quality of the alternatives than his own "merits".

FWIW, Tory MP Sir Roger Gale was on Sky News just now & he seemed to express the belief that the parliamentary party is content with any reasonable alternative who wins a contest; he explicitly listed off Raab, Truss, Wallace, Mordaunt, & Tugendhat, but his point was that at least half-a-dozen will run & the rebels will settle for literally anybody who polls better than BoJo at this point & wins a contest. He also made clear earlier today that the Westminster electorate "may well say one thing & do something completely different," so if he loses despite it looking like a narrow win right now, that's why.

[Blair]

The main problem is that keeping him basically means another 12 months of the ‘save Boris Johnson’ Government- all the energy and focus is spent on doing whatever is needed to save him. As much as they talk about the need to stop navel gazing do people really think this is going to stop?

It’s Boris Johnson! Everything he touches turns to sh**te.

For that reason I expect it to be tighter than I did yesterday  but who knows what happens after. I expect a Cold war before a sudden and forced exit when the 12 month wait ends- as Cummings says push what is falling.

People keep saying it should be after the by elections but a lot of these MPs are imo too thick, too deep in the cult or too wedded to getting a job to do what they need.

A great time to support Labour or the Lib Dems.

[MillennialModerate]

Well not nearly as bad as the Americans - the instinct for political survival
is contangious. They know there is no alternative that can win a General election.

That said: BoJo surviving is a forgone conclusion

[Blair]

Well not nearly as bad as the Americans - the instinct for political survival
is contentious. They know there is no alternative that can win a General election.

That said: BoJo surviving is a forgone conclusion

Well it’s not true.

[brucejoel99]

That said: BoJo surviving is a forgone conclusion

Welp, that settles it: RIP BoJo.

[RFK Jr.’s Brain Worm]

Honestly, assuming things go badly for his successor, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he resurfaces after the next GE for a comeback special.

Some variation on 'doing a Kevin Rudd' is not impossible, no...

Strangely I've had some thoughts, given the state of the available alternatives, that could end up applying to Theresa May.

Slow and Steady Strong and Stable wins the race

[Torrain]

Multiple journalists reporting that Theresa May has turned up to vote - wearing a ballgown.
Not sure whether she's finally embraced camp as an aesthetic, or she just has a fancy dinner reservation.

Up there with Dominic Grieve leading a Brexit rebellion in tails.

Remember when Cameron had to rush back to Parliament from a formal occasion at City Hall and was wearing a dinner jacket? It was some rebellion by JRM and Labour during the Coalition.

That was the European Arrest Warrant thing, right? JRM, Peter Bone and the rest of the "awkward squad" forced a vote while most of Parliament was out at dinner, and Cameron was at some event in the City of London?

[brucejoel99]

~38 mins. to go, if the counting schedule holds up. Any predictions?

Gun to my head, I'll say that BoJo "wins" by a totally & completely shot-in-the-dark margin of 187-172.

[TheTide]

https://twitter.com/nicholaswatt/status/1533889858615255041?s=20&t=xLegb-N6s...

[RFK Jr.’s Brain Worm]

https://twitter.com/nicholaswatt/status/1533889858615255041?s=20&t=xLegb-N6s...

But is that PM ally also a Tory MP?

[Leading Political Consultant Ma Anand Sheela]

https://twitter.com/nicholaswatt/status/1533889858615255041?s=20&t=xLegb-N6s...

This guy for Tory leader tbh

[Torrain]

~38 mins. to go, if the counting schedule holds up. Any predictions?

Gun to my head, I'll say that BoJo "wins" by a totally & completely shot-in-the-dark margin of 187-172.

A 52-48% split? It would certainly bring Boris's premiership full circle, right back to the referendum...

[MABA 2020]

I was gonna go out on a limb on 52-48 but in the other direction with Boris barely losing

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

The irony of a 52-48 result would be too delicious.

[brucejoel99]

I was gonna go out on a limb on 52-48 but in the other direction with Boris barely losing

It honestly may be just as possible either way.