Instability versus inflexibility – and the case for changing the Conservative leadership challenge rules
The easiest course for 1922 Executive Committtee members to take is to put a decision off. Here’s why that should be avoided.
Next Tory Leader. Our Survey. Johnson dominates the table. He puts on ten points and leads by eighteen.
The pattern of results over many months suggests that the worse the position of the Conservatives, the better he does.
Our survey. Three out of five Party members will vote for the Brexit Party in European elections.
This finding is extraordinary, but there are at least four reasons why it could be on the money – and is a reliable guide to the trend.
Opposition to May’s talks with Corbyn is as emphatic as ever. Our survey.
Over seven in ten of our Party member respondents are opposed to the initiative for the second month running.
Our survey. A record total of nearly eight out of ten Party members say that May should announce now that she will resign.
The voluntary Party has lost confidence in the Prime Minister. Is anyone listening around the Cabinet table?
Candidates that you disagree with on Brexit – and who are forced on you. Another disincentive to vote Tory in Euro-elections.
Are you pro-Brexit? Anti? In either case, you may have a Conservative candidate foisted on you with whose views you disagree – without your consent.
And then they shall see Robin Boardman-Pattison coming in a cloud with power and great glory
Engage with Extinction Rebellion if you have to or want to, but you’ll be doing so with cultists. So don’t expect anything to come of it.
Potemkin legislation
There is a mismatch between Government announcements and Commons realities. It cannot attempt reforms without risking them being amended out of recognition.
Nous sommes Notre Dame. Why cathedrals matter.
They have a value of their own which reaches beyond their function. They gain it not by doing anything but by being something.
The four routes being explored to oust May
Mass petitions, proposed constitutional changes, emergency and alternative No Confidence ballots…but will anything work?
Anger
Amidst verbal and actual violence, it is tempting to seek to shut down, say, Farage or Lammy altogether. But politics without anger would be impossible – and undesirable.
Should Conservative MPs and members vote for the Party in the European elections (if they happen)?
The polling and leadership election crisis stories raises three questions for both to ponder.
What proportion of Tory members will vote for the Brexit Party?
One association, in a safe Home Counties constituency, has found the answer is almost half.
Polls, Brexit postponed – and the slump of the Conservative vote
We seem to be heading back towards where British politics was between 2005 and 2015: in other words, towards more of a three or four or perhaps more party system.
Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: May is as brave as Boycott, and her deal will go through
There is more sympathy across the House for the Prime Minister than one would guess from the headlines.