# The UK Prime Minister thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 9, 2017, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503 "2017-06-09T10:19:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/1 "2017-06-09T10:19:54Z")
Theresa May has been seriously wounded - politically, that is. Her election performance was catastrophically bad. The Tories have a penchant for ruthlessness. They’re going to need a better leader for what I think will be a re-run election later this year and for negotiating with Europe. Boris Johnson is the obvious contender, but he’s not really PM material, is he? Both he and Gove fluffed it last time. Leadsom’s was found out last time. David Davis had a crack at it a decade ago. Perhaps time for another run? And Osborne must be kicking himself. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/2 "2017-06-09T10:53:49Z")
Where is Portillo these days? ������ ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/3 "2017-06-09T10:58:20Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Theresa May has been seriously wounded - politically, that is. Her election performance was catastrophically bad. The Tories have a penchant for ruthlessness. They’re going to need a better leader for what I think will be a re-run election later this year and for negotiating with Europe. > > Boris Johnson is the obvious contender, but he’s not really PM material, is he? Both he and Gove fluffed it last time. > Leadsom’s was found out last time. > David Davis had a crack at it a decade ago. Perhaps time for another run? > > And Osborne must be kicking himself. Boris will try but I think he’s a spent force at the moment and I doubt the party would back him. Gove is all that and more but without a shred of charisma or leadership skills. Liam Fox is probably tempted but too recently rejected to get anywhere. Osborne is probably thrilled not to have to deal with this mess and Brexit simultaneously. Amber Rudd’s majority is too fragile. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Philip Hammond quietly step into the breach, unless you think he’s taken damage from the election as well. Jeremy Hunt must be considering his chances too. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/4 "2017-06-09T11:01:47Z")
Yes, Hammond might well have a go, if only to spite May for refusing to back him as Chancellor during the election - another idiot move on her part. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/5 "2017-06-09T11:06:05Z")
I’ve read a few Facebook posts this morning claiming May was intentionally trying to sabotage this election so the Torres could get out of Brexit without “total betrayal.” Lots of people are calling for her head. Will she resign? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/6 "2017-06-09T11:09:44Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > They’re going to need a better leader for what I think will be a re-run election later this year… Why is everyone saying there will be another election? That seems expensive and unnecessary. They wouldn’t even consider another EU Referendum. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/7 "2017-06-09T11:10:09Z")
The big question is whether the job will be seen as a poisoned chalice. If the assumption is that the country might face another general election in short order, nobody with any credibility to damage is going to step up to head what could be a very difficult campaign for the Conservatives. The ones who will jump in are the chancers betting on a good enough result to stave off any post-election challenges. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/8 "2017-06-09T11:11:03Z")
I’ve just been looking through the pre-election Cabinet and I’ve missed perhaps the most interesting possible contender: [Sajid Javid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sajid_Javid). ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/9 "2017-06-09T11:11:24Z")
Davis would be a safe pair of hands. Boris is… “charismatic”? Might actually be electable. They’ll need someone with some personality to drag them back from being an ineffective rabble led by a non-entity and propped up by the murderous savages of the DUP. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/10 "2017-06-09T11:13:41Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Why is everyone saying there will be another election? Because the Tories don’t have an absolute majority. Their majority, even in coalition with the Northern Ireland Unionists, is wafer-thin. A new Tory Prime Minister could make their mark over the next few months, then call an election later this year to try and gain an absolute majority and a mandate from the people. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/11 "2017-06-09T11:15:33Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Why is everyone saying there will be another election? That seems expensive and unnecessary. They wouldn’t even consider another EU Referendum. Nobody _wants_ another election, but one may be _required_. I’m not completely up to speed on the rules but AIUI if no party can form a government (on its own or in coalition or by other agreement with other parties) Parliament can’t function. The last resort is to have another election and hope for a result that will work better. Sajid Javid is…not exactly a warm and engaging person. By which I mean he’s abrasive to the point of being obnoxious. Good for talking to business, not so good for talking to voters. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/12 "2017-06-09T11:18:05Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Why is everyone saying there will be another election? That seems expensive and unnecessary. They wouldn’t even consider another EU Referendum. If the Tories had got 52% of the vote them they wouldn’t be considering another election here either. Britain traditionally likes to have a real government that can get things done, and neither a Con-DUP coalition nor a minority government fit that definition. The Tories are desperate to hang onto power, though, so I wouldn’t expect it until at least next year. They might even do a deal with the EU and then hold an election as a pseudo-referendum on the deal, casting the opposition as anti-Brexit, even though they aren’t. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/13 "2017-06-09T11:43:39Z")
I’m having difficulty seeing May facing up to PM’s Questions. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/14 "2017-06-09T11:48:38Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Sajid Javid is…not exactly a warm and engaging person. By which I mean he’s abrasive to the point of being obnoxious. Good for talking to business, not so good for talking to voters. That’s him off the list then. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/15 "2017-06-09T12:15:28Z")
May is forming a government. > **[May to form 'government of certainty' with DUP backing](https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40219030)** > > Theresa May says she will govern with her Democratic Unionist "friends" and "get on" with Brexit after losing her majority, but rivals say she has caused chaos. > [@](#): > > Speaking after visiting Buckingham Palace, she said only her party could form a “legitimate” administration after winning the most seats and votes. > > She said she would work with “friends and allies” in the DUP to take forward Brexit, saying “let’s get to work”. > > The Tories are eight seats short of the 326 needed to command a majority. > > The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said the PM had said very little about how she would work with the DUP, suggesting it would be the loosest of arrangements. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2017, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/16 "2017-06-09T13:06:13Z")
How unlike Theresa May to fail to provide any details at all on how she plans to accomplish what she needs to do. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/17 "2017-06-09T13:40:57Z")
[QUOTE=The BBC] The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said the PM had said very little about how she would work with the DUP, suggesting it would be the loosest of arrangements. [/QUOTE] How very fitting indeed. Were I ever to write a book about the May era in U.K. politics, I’d call it “The Loosest Of Arrangements.” ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/18 "2017-06-09T14:07:06Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > How unlike Theresa May to fail to provide any details at all on how she plans to accomplish what she needs to do. :rolleyes: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/19 "2017-06-09T14:50:47Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > How unlike Theresa May to fail to provide any details at all on how she plans to accomplish what she needs to do. :rolleyes: Sheesh - all this emphasis on detail. We know **exactly** what Theresa May plans to to about Brexit, taxation, the NHS, immigation, housing, terrorism etc. Her plan is: - to be strong - to be stable :smack::eek:😕 ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503/20 "2017-06-09T14:55:55Z")
I’m wondering if May will endure purely because nobody else can muster enough force to get the party behind them. She’s not indispensable but nobody else will do better. And whether or not there’s another election depends on the polls. People don’t appreciate being asked to try again so soon. It would have to be over a clear issue, not simply because the parliament is hung. Seems many voted specifically for the outcome. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503.md?page=2)