Politicians and Comedians

[Bryn]

My understanding is that there has recently been a significant rise in Conservative Party membership in the constituency in which I live. Surprise, surprise, the local Tory MP, who supports the call for a second referendum on EU membership, has had a vote of no confidence passed against him. Kippered entrism is a real thing here.

[Richard Barrett]

I'm not sure too about that. I think there will always be backing for a 'conservative' party

People no doubt used to say that about the divine right of kings!

[ahinton]

Just call him ‘Johnson’ - everyone will know whom you mean, and he will certainly not be confused with the 60s American President.

I somehow doubt that his politicall rather sister would approve of that. Anyway, I'd really prefer to call him nothing at all...

[eighthobstruction]

Tory party-line : How can we possibly tell the country that Sepis has broken out....

[french frank]

People no doubt used to say that about the divine right of kings!

I don't see that as being a close parallel. 'Conservatism' is a naturally occurring human characteristic: cautious, not liking any big changes (and generally feeling personally 'comfortable' enough not to think changes are necessary), enjoying the familiar and disliking uncertainty. All that said - Brexit shows that such feelings can dissipate quite quickly when the circumstances encourage it. Chris Patten spoke yesterday of the relationship between 'facts' and 'beliefs' - and in the case of Brexit 'beliefs' prevailed. For some, the 'facts' are his Trumplike unpredictability, but probably moreso - his ability to win votes and thus save the Tory party by winning a General Election. If he wins the leadership, it will be by a balance of MPs who think he represents their best chance of their being re-elected (though in many cases that would be a formality), and by a small, unrepresentative group of the general public who imagine they are typical voters.

[cloughie]

In the scale of Andy Warhol's 15 minutes of fame it looks like Hancock has had his half hour!

[Richard Barrett]

In the scale of Andy Warhol's 15 minutes of fame it looks like Hancock has had his half hour!

What did you do in your political career, Grandad?
Well, I once came sixth in a Tory leadership contest that was won by a lying clown.

[MrGongGong]

http://gal-dem.com/comprehensive-history-everything-boris-johnson-has-said/?fbclid=IwAR320OP6mrczbBsPjH9wmV3YzqaF-W4olifQnACoi6rgEw7J29e9vcBe7gI

[jayne lee wilson]

http://gal-dem.com/comprehensive-his...w7J29e9vcBe7gI

keep putting this out there...mercilessly!

[Frances_iom]

There's no point in criticising Boris for what he is, the country is likely to be stuck with him until a sufficiently serious gaffe will provoke even those politicians who put ambition above all other considerations. The real criticism should be directed against Cameron + Osborne (+ probably the rest of that cabinet) in using a referendum to defeat a threat from their right wing (a party that soon showed its true colours once their smooth talking demagogue left) - no research was done as to the potential fall out from such a ploy with no thought as to what direction the UK (tho not for much longer U) should take. Their are many criticisms that can be raised against the increasing federal nature of the EU which in the absence of the UK may well result in an unholy mess + a grossly imbalanced Europe as north Europeans show growing distaste for those in the nationalist East + the financial irregularities of the Latins. Almost the same blame should be placed on May - her style was obvious from her days as a very right wing home secretary who seemed unwilling to listen or to accept any criticism - vide her many spats with the European court - she managed to waste 3 years avoiding any sensible discussion of what the UK should aim for. Corbyn will be seen as a throw back to the 60s - chosen as no alternative not already mired in the mess of the labour party could be found and thought to be mouldable by certain left wing union paymasters.

[MrGongGong]

There's no point in criticising Boris for what he is, the country is likely to be stuck with him until a sufficiently serious gaffe will provoke even those politicians who put ambition above all other considerations. The real criticism should be directed against Cameron + Osborne (+ probably the rest of that cabinet) in using a referendum to defeat a threat from their right wing (a party that soon showed its true colours once their smooth talking demagogue left) - no research was done as to the potential fall out from such a ploy with no thought as to what direction the UK (tho not for much longer U) should take. Their are many criticisms that can be raised against the increasing federal nature of the EU which in the absence of the UK may well result in an unholy mess + a grossly imbalanced Europe as north Europeans show growing distaste for those in the nationalist East + the financial irregularities of the Latins. Almost the same blame should be placed on May - her style was obvious from her days as a very right wing home secretary who seemed unwilling to listen or to accept any criticism - vide her many spats with the European court - she managed to waste 3 years avoiding any sensible discussion of what the UK should aim for. Corbyn will be seen as a throw back to the 60s - chosen as no alternative not already mired in the mess of the labour party could be found and thought to be mouldable by certain left wing union paymasters.

And for complicity in the whole thing I give you a life-long opponent of the EU Jeremy Corbyn

[Frances_iom]

And for complicity in the whole thing I give you a life-long opponent of the EU Jeremy Corbyn

agree - the Labour party picked a poor leader but most alternatives, given that probably the only real leader had been ousted by union support for his brother, could almost have passed as left leaning Tories.

[jayne lee wilson]

Oh, I think there's every reason to criticise "Boris", er, Johnson, for what he is (or isn't...for "being Boris"..)...and go on and on doing so...
The laughter of ridicule is often the best lance for pomposities & pretensions to power...

Tuesday's debate should be ve-ry interesting TV (for "personalities" revealed rather than comments or "insights" into "the situation"...), perhaps we'll observe a gaffe or two there....."working with what we have" I see Gove and Stewart doing well in this...)

Rory Stewart for PM! :**
Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office "Larry" for Home Sec....

(**at least half seriously....as a desperate interim measure, you understand...God help us preserve some iota of civility...)

[vinteuil]

Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office "Larry" for Home Sec....

... not forgetting Palmerston -

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1323298171018110

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[Serial_Apologist]

Corbyn will be seen as a throw back to the 60s - chosen as no alternative not already mired in the mess of the labour party could be found and thought to be mouldable by certain left wing union paymasters.

You mean to the last time the country mostly felt itself to be moving forward! - not if you were LGBT or BAME, it should not go without saying, of course; but the mixed economy being re-promulgated by Corbynism (that's all it amounts to, lest it not be emphasised), coupled with consumerism, which had not reached the complete rip-off it had become by the time of Thatcher, and the promise of a united Europe, certainly presented a sense of greater security and promise of continued amelioriation.