Iain Duncan Smith resigns

[El Presidente]

Well, he does seem to have done the decent thing ?.. or is this another expenses ruse on his part ?

He's trying to take the moral high ground on the decision to cut benefits for the disabled, but it's a political rather than compassionate decision.

Big picture, EU 'In' campaign is a disaster (run by the same bloke who ran the last Lib Dem general election campaign so hardly a surprise). Boris is doing a good job for the 'Out' campaign (he's not in favour of it himself but knows where the grass roots support lies), but IDS is currently being kept out of it because he's a liability.

By resigning now IDS appears humane, raises his profile, and persuades some who loathe him to vote 'Out'.

UK votes for Brexit in June, Cameron resigns.

Two main contenders to replace him. In one corner is Osborne, who will be tarnished by lining up for staying in the EU and these cuts.

In the other corner is Boris, who gets the vote and rewards IDS with a higher profile cabinet job.

 

[Pavilionaire]

The coalition government was, by and large, a good government. Since the Lib Dems were unjustly routed this Tory government has turned into a clusterf*ck of disasters.

 

[El Presidente]

I'm not upset in the slightest. Apple announcement day is Wednesday - can't wait!

That's an outrageous statement.

It's Monday isn't it? I've cancelled my 5pm tutorial just so that I can listen in.

Has it been rearranged by Barber?

 

[glasfryn]

Or the shocking state of Labour may well have given them the idea they could get away with anything. They think they will win the next election come what may and they almost certainly will if Corbyn is Labour leader.

for once I agree with you Corbyn will not be the leader at the next election (assuming its in 4/5 years) someone will come out of the pack, but he (Corbyn) is laying the base of a decent socialist party at last.
but the Labour party will have to be ready and quickly, because if the tories going shooting themselves in the foot everyday they will not have anyone credible to lead them .................who will come out of the pack for them?

 

[Bozza]

'Labour thickies' is a bit pejorative. But Darren's elucidation is reasonable. As is your response. There are 'my party, right or wrong' types in all parties. Except the UKIPpers, of course. 'My party, mine, not yours!' is the mantra of their leader and their one MP

Yes - I was thinking about this just now.

Politicians are a bit like football managers aren't they? They float through our clubs/political parties and we have limited control over their appointment. They might be good or they might be bad. Our loyalties are such that when under scrutiny from outsiders we defend them to the hilt, but when we are with our peers we are more revealing in exposing our true thoughts and beliefs.

And then, in time, they move on and we maintain we always knew they were shit, and get on with supporting their replacement.

 

[jakarta]

He's trying to take the moral high ground on the decision to cut benefits for the disabled, but it's a political rather than compassionate decision.

Big picture, EU 'In' campaign is a disaster (run by the same bloke who ran the last Lib Dem general election campaign so hardly a surprise). Boris is doing a good job for the 'Out' campaign (he's not in favour of it himself but knows where the grass roots support lies), but IDS is currently being kept out of it because he's a liability.

By resigning now IDS appears humane, raises his profile, and persuades some who loathe him to vote 'Out'.

UK votes for Brexit in June, Cameron resigns.

Two main contenders to replace him. In one corner is Osborne, who will be tarnished by lining up for staying in the EU and these cuts.

In the other corner is Boris, who gets the vote and rewards IDS with a higher profile cabinet job.

A big gamble - I personally don't think that the UK will vote Out so where will that leave him?

 

[Bozza]

It's Monday isn't it? I've cancelled my 5pm tutorial just so that I can listen in.

Yes, you're right.

It's hard to describe how distracting Cheltenham can be to the unemployed.

 

[El Presidente]

Yes, you're right.

It's hard to describe how distracting Cheltenham can be to the unemployed.

I trust you haven't had a tattoo of a winning nag's name put above your ankle though?

 

[spring hall convert]

A big gamble - I personally don't think that the UK will vote Out so where will that leave him?

It won't matter. The majority of the Tory Party faithful want to leave. That's without the Kippers who will have to crawl back.

As I understand the Members will have a greater say in the election of the new leader (have I made this up?)

 

[Leekbrookgull]

He's trying to take the moral high ground on the decision to cut benefits for the disabled, but it's a political rather than compassionate decision.

Big picture, EU 'In' campaign is a disaster (run by the same bloke who ran the last Lib Dem general election campaign so hardly a surprise). Boris is doing a good job for the 'Out' campaign (he's not in favour of it himself but knows where the grass roots support lies), but IDS is currently being kept out of it because he's a liability.

By resigning now IDS appears humane, raises his profile, and persuades some who loathe him to vote 'Out'.

UK votes for Brexit in June, Cameron resigns.

Two main contenders to replace him. In one corner is Osborne, who will be tarnished by lining up for staying in the EU and these cuts.

In the other corner is Boris, who gets the vote and rewards IDS with a higher profile cabinet job.

Very interesting post,many of which will find plausible.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Just fallen into the same trap yourself, eh? Bought that from Stereotypes'R'Us, did you?

Nope . . . you have lost me there

 

[Goldstone1976]

He's trying to take the moral high ground on the decision to cut benefits for the disabled, but it's a political rather than compassionate decision.

Big picture, EU 'In' campaign is a disaster (run by the same bloke who ran the last Lib Dem general election campaign so hardly a surprise). Boris is doing a good job for the 'Out' campaign (he's not in favour of it himself but knows where the grass roots support lies), but IDS is currently being kept out of it because he's a liability.

By resigning now IDS appears humane, raises his profile, and persuades some who loathe him to vote 'Out'.

UK votes for Brexit in June, Cameron resigns.

Two main contenders to replace him. In one corner is Osborne, who will be tarnished by lining up for staying in the EU and these cuts.

In the other corner is Boris, who gets the vote and rewards IDS with a higher profile cabinet job.

Precisely my analysis, with one wrinkle. If the "out" majority is lower than 55:45, I predict that, despite what the "inners" are currently saying, the real politik of the situation will cause both Cameron and the EU to "renegotiate" (with probably no substantive changes), and spin it for a second referendum - "look how well we've done following you telling us that we hadn't done enough".

Watch Boris start to say "Well, I don't agree with Dave on whether we should leave or remain, but I do agree that we must only have one referendum" to head this possibility off at the pass...

 

[Pavilionaire]

If only Boris had been inclined to vote 'Remain' he'd be looking good to be the next PM.

I can't see that Osborne will get the gig. As well as most of the country, many in his own party think he's a tw*t.

 

[Soulman]

'Labour thickies' is a bit pejorative. But Darren's elucidation is reasonable. As is your response. There are 'my party, right or wrong' types in all parties. Except the UKIPpers, of course. 'My party, mine, not yours!' is the mantra of their leader and their one MP

You seem to be very obsessed by a party with "their leader and their one MP", obviously the constant cock ups from Corbyn and now the deafening silence has made your mind wander back to a party with "their leader and their one MP" again.

 

[Pevenseagull]

I'm not upset in the slightest. Apple announcement day is Wednesday - can't wait!

I'm hoping it's a reduction in the number of suicides in their factories.

 

[spring hall convert]

If only Boris had been inclined to vote 'Remain' he'd be looking good to be the next PM.

I can't see that Osborne will get the gig. As well as most of the country, many in his own party think he's a tw*t.

But the next PM isn't going to be elected via a general election.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

I agree that's their thought process but the current reality is they have a wafer thin majority. If they are right and Labour are no threat, why rush and kick up a hornets nest?

The tax credit cut and this week's budget announcement have been awful politics and reflect terribly on Osborne and to a lesser extent Cameron.

I have a feeling as the referendum comes closer Labour would do well to basically shut up and sit tight, the Tories are going to tear themselves to shreds.

Good old fashioned Incompetence? As you say after the tax credit debacle you'd have thought they (Osborne) would have learn't their lesson. Apparently IDS resisted the latest cuts then had to defend them only for them to be withdrawn earlier today ... shambolic. No wonder he put the knife into the Chancellor.

Agree the Tories will go through a substantial blood letting but Labour have their own unresolvable issues which will have to be addressed at some point. I feel sorry for the Labour moderates as this government disarray temporarily solidifies Corbyn's position further increasing the delusional view that he can actually win.

The next year should be interesting though and I won't be surprised to see new leaders in both main parties at the end of it.

 

[El Presidente]

Yes, you're right.

It's hard to describe how distracting Cheltenham can be to the unemployed.

I'm going for iPhone SE, no updates to Watch or MacBook or iPad Mini, iPad Pro 9.7 inch.

I'm tempted to go for a Surface Book as Apple refuse to incorporate stylus usage into OSX and I can't be arsed wandering around with a WACOM as well as a laptop. iPad Pro not powerful enough to create MP4's from screen recordings.

 

[El Presidente]

Good old fashioned Incompetence? As you say after the tax credit debacle you'd have thought they (Osborne) would have learn't their lesson. Apparently IDS resisted the latest cuts then had to defend them only for them to be withdrawn earlier today ... shambolic. No wonder he put the knife into the Chancellor.

Agree the Tories will go through a substantial blood letting but Labour have their own unresolvable issues which will have to be addressed at some point. I feel sorry for the Labour moderates as this government disarray temporarily solidifies Corbyn's position further increasing the delusional view that he can actually win.

The next year should be interesting though and I won't be surprised to see new leaders in both main parties at the end of it.

Boris or Gideon though?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

You seem to be very obsessed by a party with "their leader and their one MP", obviously the constant cock ups from Corbyn and now the deafening silence has made your mind wander back to a party with "their leader and their one MP" again.

One comment makes me obsessed? You sound so bitter . . . . .

I would like to say I'm disappointed in Corbyn, but I expected him to be useless, and he is, so . . . . .

There is no point trying to stereotype me as a labour apparatchik. You wouldn't if you knew me.

So, apologies if my mild piss take of the kippers has upset you