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

[Lumine]

Was watching the post-1992 election episode of Spitting Image, and it's sort of hilarious how well it fits to the post-election landscape in some ways:

-The Shadow Cabinet and a delusional Kinnock awkwardly blame the weather, the recession and the fact that there was an election as the reasons for Labour's defeat, then they loudly turn on Kinnock and shout "RESIGN!!!"

-The Conservatives not being able to believe they won and/or wondering what on earth (given the bad economic situation) would make the voters not vote Conservative.

-Paddy ("Seatsdown") Ashdown variously noting the Tories fought a dirty campaign (and that they should have done the same), that their slogan was "My vote" (and that's all they got) and stating "the Liberal Democrat was neither good, nor bad... but absolutely awful".

-A heartbroken Kinnock waking up in the middle of the night to play "Everything's coming up roses" on a piano (which is a surprisingly moving moment, even if I don't sympathize with Kinnock)

I can just about imagine very similar sketches with Corbyn, Johnson and Swinson if the series was on today (though I'd wonder what Corbyn might be playing).

[Lumine]

Is that one on youtube? Don't think I've seen it before but would be great comic relief at this time.

We also need a more catchy thread title!

It is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBXrV0z0l8M

[Lumine]

The "mini-reshuffle" is being conducted, Simon Hart becomes Welsh Secretary and Nicky Morgan remains Culture Secretary, but from the Lords. Presumably all that's left is finding a replacement for Goldsmith, unless Boris is really going to sack people now and not on February.

[Lumine]

As expected, the Withdrawal Agreement passes second reading at the House of Commons, and with a 124 majority (358 to 234). Six Labour MP's defied the whip and supported the deal, and about 30 Labour MP's (including Lavery and Trickett in the Shadow Cabinet) either abstained or didn't show up.

Parliament goes into recess until January 7th.

[Lumine]

Withdrawal agreement finally leaves the House of Commons, 330 (all Conservative MP's) to 231.

[Lumine]

The Withdrawal Agreement recieves royal assent. Bercow is also having a bad day, between the government denying him a peerage and a dossier regarding the bullying allegations against him being presented.

[Lumine]

Probably won't last for long - and it is early enough for it not to matter too much - but the latest GE poll:

CON: 49% (+4)
LAB: 29% (-4)
LDEM: 10% (-2)
GRN: 4% (+1)
BREX: 2% (-)

[Lumine]

While in government the Conservative Party is about as ruthless as it gets when it comes to retaining office by any means, and that absolutely means ditching (the brutality and willingness of it varies) any Prime Minister that is eventually percieved to be an electoral liability, regardless of how successful the PM in question has been, and certainly regardless of whether they won a landslide or not.

They did it to Thatcher after three victories when she became a liability, missed doing the same to Major by three votes (plus the alternatives were likely to do worse, not better), would have done it to Cameron had he not resigned (no matter how much some pretended to lament his resignation), and they only failed to do it to May much earlier out of a combination of A. plotter incompetence; B. May being so incredibly stubborn; C. a number of "lucky" coincidences preventing May from being ejected right after 2017.

Long story short, the moment Boris is percieved to be a permanent electoral liability - and he seems to be doing an excellent work in that area - they'll ditch him about three seconds with no remorse and no regret whatsoever. Whether they get away with it this time is probably going to depend on whether the Tory brand becomes tainted "Black Wednesday" style by the pandemic response, since from the looks of it they won't have an incompetent opposition to work with.

[Lumine]

Supposedly Zahawi is threatening to resign if not made Chancellor, and Boris wants Truss for that role. Hilarious if true.

[Lumine]

Looks like the incoming Cabinet will indeed make Boris' one look like a land of talent and political heavyweights. IDS back, Rees-Mogg and Dorries retained or promoted, Chloe Smith - who I believe was once crushed in a Paxman interview - promoted, Braverman, Cleverly and Kwarteng all in leading roles, and ongoing debate on who to exile to Northern Ireland.

https://twitter.com/ShippersUnbound/status/1566166456164810752