And (but?) the public face of that is a woman of colour (as is one of the louder “anti-woke” voices - Kemi Badenoch, who is putting herself forward for the leadership, albeit more likely a “putting down a marker” candidate) .
Not sure whether this line of discussion takes us anywhere. No doubt we shall see when the dust settles and the voting starts.
LOL. That was kinda my first thought, too.
Of what? UKIP? She’s not in it, she’s a tory MP. And it’s all very well talking anti-woke, but the manifesto of the likes of BNP was to send back British born people of colour to where their ancestors came from, and ban contraception and abortion (white people have to breed). There’s a massive difference to being anti-woke and the type of people who’d vote for that, who are members of the modern tory party.
Ten years ago, I’d reckon there was a chance. But not post 2016 and the immigrant hatred which is the bread and butter of the tories in recent years.
Of the shift further to the right on immigration and race-related issues. Of course they’re not espousing everything the extremists were proposing, but they’re trying the “respectable” dog-whistles to draw voters away from them.
Whether that translates into Tory members voting for them as leaders, I wouldn’t presume to guess.
Well, I’m wondering a few things at the moment about it…
The Northern Ireland Protocol bill, which was the latest stage in effect of the war on the EU. If Johnson is still in charge will he dare to bring it forward. If he doesn’t, will the next leader go the same way.
The influence of the ERG drinking group, this set of 60 odd extremist MPs which has been leading the Brexit to the most extreme end of things. I really doubt there will be a shift to the more moderate end of the party again, but I can but hope, what with the economic miracle promised by Brexit pretty proved much fictional.
Whether anyone can see the miracle which can be performed here with a shift back to being pro-EU. I know I’m dreaming with this, but it’s been hovering around £2 a litre for fuel ($13 a gallon) for weeks now, the low currency bird has come home to roost (it was £1.20 when the currency was strong), and petrol could head higher if the barrel price goes up (it has been higher). 9% inflation. A rejoin of the single market will undo a bunch of trade damage, boost the currency at least 20% (probably more) and solve the inflation and fuel problems. Ok, so they went so hard right that this is probably unthinkable, but the last six years of lunacy can be undone in days and boost us out this mess.
Not a freakin’ chance from today’s Tory Party.
And I think you’ll find the energy price and general consequent inflation is not unique to post-Brexit Britain either. There’s no magic cure in or out of the single market (though you’re right, this shambling shower have needlessly kneecapped us).
Of those running so far, my money’s on Jeremy Hunt. Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt join Conservative Party leadership race - BBC News
Rishi’s too rich, Sajid Javid looks like a literal Muppet and has an awkward manner. Grant Shapps is a smirking idiot.
I have an awful feeling that Priti Patel could win if she entered the race. She’s pathologically tough on immigration and, being of Asian heritage, brings some plausible deniability over charges of racism.
<crosses fingers in Cockney>
Cockney, right. Okay, I think I know how to do this:
“Crosses finger” rhymes with “Linger”, so you’re betting on a member of the Cranberries? But aren’t they all Irish? Not that the ghost of Dolores O’Riordan wouldn’t be a better PM than most of the prospects names so far.
Not sure if you’re whooshed or in on joke…
I wasn’t using rhyming slang, I was hopeful that the new PM would be eminently rhyming-slang compatible (as many radio and TV gaffes have already demonstrated just when he was Health Secretary)
We have ten known candidates so far…
Sunak
Shapps
Truss
Zahawi
Tugendhat
Braverman
Bedenoch
Hunt
Javid
Mordaunt
I guess this list will change when the qualification rules are released by the 1922 committee. They will have to prove they have enough support from Conservative MPs to cut out those that have little chance.
I think the unfortunate incident was when he was in another job, and the (?unfortunate) presenter** of the BBC’s flagship radio current affairs breakfast programme slightly spoonerised his introduction of JH as “Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary”.
**as I recall, it was James Naughtie - you may make up your own mind about nominatve determinism in this case
I can’t help also recalling that JH had a slight technical misfunction during some celebration of the London Olympics that involved ringing bells: https://youtu.be/xmCtGKwgJ2k
Some how, the words “bell” and “end” come to mind.
Here is a list of all the current candidates.
My guess is that it will be between Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak.
Most of debates will be about Brexit issues and Tax.
The Conservatives want Brexit to be ‘done’ and a low tax, growing market driven economy unfettered by regulation and their version of ‘green’ policies.
They haven’t a hope in Hell of delivering these things given the poor state of the domestic economy, huge borrowings, the broken trade relationships and a looming energy crisis. But politicians get elected by telling people what they want to hear.
There is also the small question of which one the voting public might like. Boris Johnson was a jolly showman who delivered a majority with the assurance that he would get Brexit done. That is not going work a second time. Though some of the candidates think it is still a winning ticket, at least within the party.
We’re currently at the stage for me of “I’ve heard of that one, was that because they said something insane? (Mordant)” and also “That one used to not be that bad, now they’re veering into the insane (Hunt)”
But also mad shit is happening. Truss has gone full Gilead and our Chancellor, in charge of taxes in the UK, is under investigation for tax issues
Liz Truss is famous for copying Margaret Thatcher’s style with photo poses of her sitting on top of tanks as a Cold War warrior. I expect we will be seeing a lot of that from her over Ukraine. Putin will be shaking in his boots.
Thatcher won elections with an uncompromising stance and styling and slick PR from professional image makers like Saatchi.
I don’t doubt that several candidates will be copying this playbook, but Truss loses points for a complete lack of originality.
Brexiteers, Russian bear baiting, Deporting refugees….this is red meat for the reactionary wing of the party.
More nature messages about tax policy, dealing with cost of living crisis, levelling up the deprived areas and more wind farms out at sea will appeal to the moderate ‘One nation’ Tories.
Rishi and his multi-millionaire wife doing with their money what rich folks are wont to do: dodge taxes.
I am not sure there is going to be much kick back from the Tory faithful. These people are not socialists. At least they know Rishi is unlikely to taking bribes from rich Russian businessmen-ski.
And for a very oddly placed pregnant pause in a speech on cheese imports, can’t forget that.