# 2016 UK Conservative Party Leadership Election Discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 29, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667 "2016-06-29T02:27:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/161 "2016-07-12T23:26:32Z")
> [@bonzer](#): > > But I have to admit that, as someone of much the same age as Cameron and a fan of the series, under the circumstances I’d want to play out these last few days as the version of the fantasy one last time. Cursing Boris, in Latin, on the steps of Number 10, and then grinding his cigarette underfoot would have been good. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/162 "2016-07-13T03:29:47Z")
> [@bonzer](#): > > …It could have been worse: he could have tried humming the theme to the US version of _House of Cards_. If that is hummable. Have a listen: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzQ-O3r7KU4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzQ-O3r7KU4) ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/163 "2016-07-13T09:24:02Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Yes, but what’s the connection to humming? Would you not ascribe all that to him if he weren’t humming? Yes I would, but humming as though it’s just one more little chore out of the way is adding insult to injury. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/164 "2016-07-13T09:43:18Z")
And, from a journalist’s point of view, it’s just unusual. It’s not so long ago that all this hooha on the steps of No. 10 wouldn’t have happened at all, over the last few years it’s become more and more solemn and pseudo-grandly historical (quite unnecessarily, IMO), so on this occasion, when it is all full of fairly dramatic implications, it’s just, well, remarkable that he reacts like that. Things journalists overhear when someone forgets to switch off their mike are, of course, catnip for the headlines. Gordon Brown sabotaged himself in the 2010 election by letting an unguarded remark about someone who’d harangued him about immigration get out. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/165 "2016-07-13T12:17:07Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > It seems unduly insouciant in view of the fact that all this is the result of the failure of his great gamble. It doesn’t necessarily need the full Thatcher waterworks, but it’s not quite the done thing to look as though you don’t care that you’ve just bequeathed the mother of all political messes to your successor. Humming nonchalantly as his career goes up in flames is exactly what we expect of old Etonians. I imagine Lord Cardigan humming a light ditty as the Light Brigade charged towards the Russian guns. It’s the sort of quixotic behaviour we expect from the ruling class. Jeremy Corbyn could probably get away with such behaviour too; Angle Eagle less so. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/166 "2016-07-13T12:23:57Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > Humming nonchalantly as his career goes up in flames is exactly what we expect of old Etonians. Does “his career goes up in flames” mean “he’ll be sitting in the Lords in six months or so”? Because we also expect that of old Etonians. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/167 "2016-07-13T12:37:15Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Does “his career goes up in flames” mean “he’ll be sitting in the Lords in six months or so”? Because we also expect that of old Etonians. With such a slim majority, the Tories won’t want to risk a by-election. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/168 "2016-07-13T12:46:32Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > With such a slim majority, the Tories won’t want to risk a by-election. Witney is a safe seat. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/169 "2016-07-13T12:49:06Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Does “his career goes up in flames” mean “he’ll be sitting in the Lords in six months or so”? Because we also expect that of old Etonians. If that career path is good enough for Floella Benjamin it’s good enough for former PM, David Cameron. I don’t think anyone doubts Cameron’s career and legacy have just taken a substantial hit. A hit so big that no stint in the Lords will ever fully recover his reputation. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/170 "2016-07-13T14:16:45Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > I don’t think anyone doubts Cameron’s career and legacy have just taken a substantial hit. A hit so big that no stint in the Lords will ever fully recover his reputation. Indeed. A former PM’s “place in history” tends to wander up and down (or more commonly down and up) over the long term, as new concerns lead to re-evaluations. We might settle down into a different and constructive relationship with the EU, which might also resolve its various structural and policy problems. And there might be jam for everyone, some day. But in the long historical term, this may turn out to be as great a turning point as, say, the US Senate walking away from the League of Nations, and all that followed from that. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/171 "2016-07-13T16:00:44Z")
Just watching Dave head off to the Palace with his family. I am struck by the fact that, even although I follow UK politics pretty closely, I have never seen his kids before. I knew he and Sam have some - and had another that died young - but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/172 "2016-07-13T16:09:21Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Just watching Dave head off to the Palace with his family. I am struck by the fact that, even although I follow UK politics pretty closely, I have never seen his kids before. I knew he and Sam have some - and had another that died young - but that’s about it. There was also that amusing incident where one of them got left at a pub… ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/173 "2016-07-13T16:10:35Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > There was also that amusing incident where one of them got left at a pub… Ha, yes, but who of us hasn’t done the same? ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/174 "2016-07-13T20:29:05Z")
Boris, as Foreign Secretary. I’ll be in the corner , slowly looking out of one eye, then the other, as you do when absolutely filthy drunk and wondering why reality is out of focus. . ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/175 "2016-07-13T20:32:39Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Witney is a safe seat. Seats are never safe in by-elections. Imagine if Farage were to try there. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/176 "2016-07-13T21:38:53Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Seats are never safe in by-elections. Imagine if Farage were to try there. _imagines Farage standing in a Witney by-election_ It’d be a comfortable CON hold. It’s not ever going to be fertile hunting ground for UKIP - look at the last few election results. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/177 "2016-07-13T22:03:05Z")
The new Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, has an IMDB credit for _Four Weddings and a Funeral_ as “Aristocracy Co-ordinator”. Not even kidding. > **[Amber Rudd - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1010081/)** > > Amber Rudd. Additional Crew: Four Weddings and a Funeral. Amber Rudd was born on 1 August 1963 in Marylebone, London, England, UK. She is known for Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), UK General Election (1950) and One O'Clock News (1986). She was... Screenshot of credits: [https://twitter.com/jimwaterson/status/214468948576575488](https://twitter.com/jimwaterson/status/214468948576575488) What a strange country. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2016, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/178 "2016-07-14T08:38:50Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > Boris, as Foreign Secretary. > I’ll be in the corner , slowly looking out of one eye, then the other, as you do when absolutely filthy drunk and wondering why reality is out of focus. This. I can’t help but wonder if the whole country is being punked. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/179 "2016-07-14T18:36:02Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The new Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, has an IMDB credit for _Four Weddings and a Funeral_ as “Aristocracy Co-ordinator”. Not even kidding. > > [Amber Rudd - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1010081/) > > Screenshot of credits: > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/jimwaterson/status/214468948576575488) Michael Gove was an actor in an obviously very forgettable film a few years back as well… > [@](#): > > What a strange country. At least the men in England don’t wear skirts. Make sure your skirt is ironed before the Lincoln Red Imps turn up at Parkhead… ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667/180 "2016-07-14T18:52:44Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > At least the men in England don’t wear skirts. Make sure your skirt is ironed before the Lincoln Red Imps turn up at Parkhead… Sorry, you’ve lost me? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667.md?page=10)