Braverman To Brave The Commons This Afternoon

 

Congratulations Rashid Sanook!

 

Congratulations Rashid Sanook, Prime Minister of Good Britland pic.twitter.com/YwFS1xgd6J

— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) October 25, 2022

The Coronation of Rishi?

 

With Boris pulling out of the contest, and Penny with less than 100 declared votes, it is probable that Rishi will secure the leadership of the Tory Party (and by definition become PM) by 14.00 today without the need for the membership to beocme involved.

We shall see!

Will He, Or Won't He?

 

Unsurpisingly, following the resignation of Liz Truss, Twitter has gone into a meltdown over the possibility of Boris Johnson returning as Prime Minister.

As at the time of writing, Boris has 57 declarations of support (he needs 100 to be allowed to stand).

The key question that has yet to be answered is, will he stand?

I have a sneaking feeling that he won't.

Question For Jeremy Hunt

 

Did Liz get your permission to guarantee the triple lock today?

Pensions Triple Lock "Confirmed"

 

Truss has confirmed that the pension triple lock will stay (caveat emptor!).

However, she does not commit to benefits rising in line with inflation.

Today's PMQ

 

Boom!

 

Controlled explosion heard on Whitehall after security threat and now fire engines by Treasury. Sketch writers have it too easy.

— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) October 18, 2022

A Very British Coup - The Puppetmasters Reveal Themselves

 

Chancellor Hunt has just nixed Kwarteng's budget, whilst the FX and Gilt markets approve it may not be such a joyful occassion for mere humans.

Amongst others Hunt has:

-time limted the energy bailout to 6 months, 

-abandoned the reduction in income tax, 

-reintroduced the hated IR35 reforms, 

-scrapped the freeze on alcohol duties and 

-promised wide ranging spending cuts.

This of course is what the media and the markets, IMF etc have been pushing for.

Clearly Truss's days, and indeed the Tory Party's days, in office are limited (days/weeks/months....who knows?).

As such Labour and their suppoorters, not unreasonably, are champing at the bit to take power. However, they should bear this in mind, as and when they take office they will face exactly the same problems that Truss faces eg:

- global inflation

- gobal rising interest rates

- the war in Ukraine

- energy and food shortages

- hysterical media that looks to destroy whoever is in power etc.

As such, constrained by the markets and bullied by the media, the room for maneuver will be very limited. 

Like it or not UK interest rates are on an upward trajectory, and there will be spending cuts (whovere is in power). Labour will need to explain this to its supporters (who have yet to understand who really runs the country).

A Very British Coup

 

Make no mistake, Jeremy Hunt (and his backers) is/are now de facto Prime Minsiter in all but name only.

Liz Truss is now but a figurehead mouthing words scripted to her by Hunt.

How long this state of affairs lasts is not yet clear. However, I suspect it won't last very long.

URGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP @Jeremy_Hunt has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer @HMTreasury. pic.twitter.com/bldKWr3crG

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) October 14, 2022

Kwarteng Sacked Mid-Air

 

It appears that Kawsi has been sacked, quite possibly whilst he was midway between Washington and London.

Well then!

Mini Budget U Turn Alert!

 

Bailey Throws The Government To The Wolves

 

Bailey said last night:

“the Bank will not stand in the way of the market pushing up the effective cost of government borrowing as a response to uncertainty over its economic policy.” 

OOH!

Rishi To Switch To Labour?

 

Tarry Thinks The Vote Was Rigged

 

pic.twitter.com/ZxALd26tcO

— Sam Tarry MP (@SamTarry) October 11, 2022

Starmer Goes on Election Alert

 

BREAKING: Keir Starmer unveils major restructuring of Labour Party machine including new HQ to help get party on war-footing ahead of next general election and capitalise on Tory woes.

He told staff this morning: “This is not time for complacency or caution”.

— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) October 11, 2022

He may well be right, given that the Tory Party are doing the job of HMO so well!

The Hate is Strong in This One

 

Truss's Speech Better Than Expected

A much more confident speech than many were expecting. She has drawn clear political lines on EU, immigration, tax and defence and defined her opponents. Whatever we think of content, you can see clearly here why Liz Truss won over Conservative party members.

— Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) October 5, 2022

The Nearly Chancellor

 

Having consigned his plan to cut the top rate of tax from 45% to 40% to the bin, Kwasi's career as Chancellor will most likely emulate the lifespan (in political terms) of the Mayfly.

Interesting rumour, probably being put about by his allies, is that he opposed the cut initially.

That rather makes things worse for him.

We get it, and we have listened. pic.twitter.com/lOfwHTUo76

— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) October 3, 2022