Is A Leadership Challenge Coming?

[Kromovaracun]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/philip-hammond-theresa-may-tory-leader-refuse-back-conservatives-general-election-chancellor-cabinet-a7965936.html

The Chancellor, upon being asked, refused to endorse Theresa May as a leader but did on another occasion say that "Theresa May has made it very clear that she has a job to do, I am completely behind her in doing that job."

Not much of a story on its own. But there are also rumours that 30 Tory MPs have signed a letter challenging May's leadership and that senior members of the cabinet are arranging for her departure. Even The Spectator (effectively an organ of the Tory party) has published leaders about the party reaching "civil war."

Is the media making a mountain of a molehill, or can we expect a serious challenge to May at conference this weekend?

[ludwig]

I didn't see it either, but perhaps he said something slightly flippant or humorous, which may also be frowned upon in serious topics.

I think a challenge is inevitable Krom. Boris fired his opening shot the other week with his vision for Brexit.

[mikey4444]

TTT...maybe the way forward is for you, and others, including me, to post with clear unambiguous English ?

You must admit that some of your posts are somewhat difficult to understand !

[Jackdaw33]

May is finished, of that there is no doubt. She gambled on what she thought was a certainty and lost. The problem is: who is the replacement? Hammond has all the charm and charisma of an undertaker's mute and Rees-Mogg is too eccentric to be credible. I fear the only choice will be Boris, like it or lump it.

[Kromovaracun]

Honestly 3T's first post had one piece of slang in it that I can remember ("down the kermit" = kermit frog = bog), which is pretty transparent compared to some things which have passed into common AB lingo now. In all other respects it was identical to his later reply.

[ichkeria]

There are very few options for the Tories.
Where are the younger, more dynamic, competent politicians?
I wouldn't mind betting the next leader will be none of Hammond, Rees-Mogg, Davis, Johnson (he is almost certainly toast: Tories are very unforgiving to backstabbers and snipers).

[Kromovaracun]

With regards speculating about her successor (and why not, it's fun), I think Hammond has the best chance because multiple pro-Brexit candidates have emerged, and he is the only anti-Brexit one - and as such his vote may be split.

And also because he is close to Lord Heseltine, who it seems to me at least has been controlling the Tory party from the shadows for about 10 years at least (likely more).

[Jackdaw33]

Some people must not have liked 'Only Fools and Horses' as it was riddled with Cockney slang. For my part I thoroughly enjoy decoding what TTT is saying.

[gulliver1]

NO! May Must Stay. PLEASE.

[EDDIE51]

^ Not a hope, May has been 'dead in the water' since her almighty *** up when she managed to lose a clear majority .
She would have gone immediately if it was not for the fact that getting rid of her would blow Brexit .

[Gromit]

The Tory leadership managed to concoct a coronation for May instead of holding a proper election of Conservative members.
I am not sure they can pull the same trick again. And the Remain MPs in Parliament do not want a hard leave leader which is what they will get if the members get a vote this time.
So May will carry on, serverely weakened and a lame duck, but there is no one else.

[EDDIE51]

May has every reason for delaying Brexit for as long as possible. She knows she is out on her @rse the second we are out of the EU.
Another few years will top up her pension pot very nicely. Nothing motivates a politician as much as self interest.

[ludwig]

//NO! May Must Stay. PLEASE.//

It's not clear whether this is sarcasm or not. I'm not sure if sarcasm is allowed on serious questions. Ed, can we remove this answer just in case?

[Kromovaracun]

I think Gulliver has said elsewhere that she really likes May because she is a weak opponent for Corbyn. Which I suppose is fair, but if true it makes her far more likely to be dethroned, I would have thought.

[gulliver1]

Eddies 21.35, how right you are on that one, if may can delay brexit until 2022 we can score a double whammy.

[Peter Pedant]

// Plus I now look like a lonely maniac posting replies to myself in my own thread. Cheers for that, anonymous mod. //

yeah the random censorship ( is that possible ? like military intellingence or postal service) makes a thread look thread-bare

but that would be TWO lonely maniacs ( you n free-tee )
seraching for each other - groping in the dark .....erm back to the thread

The Tory party is the most successful in history in western europe for changing and keeping itself in power - I think the criterion is how long it has existed

there is a sptting image sketch - cabinet room
Margaret T ( for it is she ) who wants to be my deputy ?
rest of cabinet: me! me! me!
MT - so - - - you all think you can replace me do you ?
rest of cabinet - oo-er !

[Peter Pedant]

// You must admit that some of your posts are somewhat difficult to understand !//

oh Lardy - I get this ev'ry day
if you wanna keep on doing it 3T - do it !
( but use moist wipes afterwards they say)

I think a minority on AB passed their 'reading at 10' test all those years ago - and it shows!

Back to the tory party... Churchill kept Eden and Macmillan on short leash -" it will be your turn soon" seems really to have been a catch phrase at that time. He really was ga-ga in 1955 - and used to play with his duckies in the bath......
The Queen came to dindins at 10 Downing St., as he was meant to be too out of it to make it to the palace (when he resigned - I think - it was all so long ago)

[gulliver1]

P/P 08.38, IT's a bit early in the day for Gobbledy gook even from you , or are you on that red wine again, it's so early.

[Peter Pedant]

Hahahaha that's so funny - the red wine one liner !

anything to say on the Tory Party and May? ( nope I suppose)
I agree - we have few facts to go on
and it is fun to speculate

( all those people from the fifties - Churchill Mac and Eden - they were tories by the way Gull)