A leadership contest!

I failed to understand why David Cameron attempted to get special concessions within the EU for the UK in the first place. What made him imagine that the UK was so great that the rest of Europe would roll over and allow us pick the benefits that suited us the best.
He was then so terrified of UKIP and their one MP (!) that he proposed the referendum, not imagining for one moment that the Brexiteers would actually win. So once everything had gone pear-shaped he slung his hook leaving somebody (anybody) to sort out the chaos he’d created. I am not a Tory voter but I feel marginally sorry for TM walking into the mess DC left in his wake, and having to abandon her original beliefs to carry out the wishes of a narrow majority, just to be stabbed in the back. But then I can honestly say there is nobody in any of the parties that I feel would or could have done a better job and at the moment I can count on the fingers of almost one hand the names of any party members of any persuasion who I would want to be PM.

joelsnan ????????

newnanny
'set try ring out' ?
What's that all about?
At least amend errors...please.

I failed to understand why David Cameron attempted to get special concessions within the EU for the UK in the first place

He did it to placate the right wing of his party and to try and stop tory voters defecting to UKIP. I really thought everyone knew that

He did, in fact, get concessions from the EU. I've already posted this on another thread this evening but here it is again. His report to Parliament on his negotiations with the EU.

hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2016-02-22/debates/16022210000001/EuropeanCouncil

If the people who voted leave had lost as narrowly as the remainers did, I feel sure they would have kept pushing for another referendum. Farage was even talking of that on the day of the referendum when he thought his cause had lost.

Leavers, if you are really so confident of your views, why aren't you happy to have another referendum? We could really test your assertions against what we now know. Democracy gives us the right to change our minds; only under dictatorships is that disallowed.

newnanny Cameron also promised that if Scotland wanted to stay in the EU the best way to do that was to vote remain in the Scottish referendum. Many believed him, did just that and are now bitterly disappointed that they were let down when that promise was broken. Those disappointed voters won't be listening to any more Tory guarantees.
Trustworthy bunch aren't they?

A few months ago, when all the 'unrest over Brexit' started I commented that it was 'a bit deja vu' ie Margaret Thatcher and the - mostly MALE, it has to be said - Backstabbers that 'saw her off'.

The Macho Power Jostle started then, when John Redwood was pushed to the forefront by the more lily-livered MP's who were just waiting for him to fall at the first hurdle - and he DID. Then the rest of them showed their true colours and came out of hiding, after learning from where he went wrong.

Once again, a group of men can't stand to see a woman in a position of power.

Theresa May has been 'lumbered with' the task of steering the country through Brexit - whether she wanted it or not, but naturally there are those who won't just let her get on with the job .......................... I don't vote Conservative, but I have every sympathy for her at this moment.

So she made it 200-117 and I feel heartily sickened by JRM’s nauseous oleaginous comments implying only those effectively “paid” by TM have voted for her.
Laura Kuenssberg equally obnoxious.

I hope TM sacks those who have plotted against her now.

WE, the people, are not the laughing stock of Europe - our so-called government is. Let's not confuse a country with its useless politicians. A bunch of self-serving, self-entitled, idiots.

It seems to be one of our country’s less desirable attitudes, which is to view ourselves as somehow superior to others

Wrong. We are not.

But we are not lame ducks either, remember that. Remainers would have us believe we are, and totally dependent on the EU.

There is a World Trade Organisation, in case you forgot. The EU is not the be all and end all. I suspect May did not emphasise that enough in her talks with Barnier and Juncker.

I now hope the No Deal route is discussed. I know quite a few Remainers who have become rather disillusioned/disgusted with the EU as a result of their intransigence and the lack of flexibility regarding Ireland.

Hope the hard Brexiteers now accept they’ve lost, get over it.

But if Leave Means Leave, May cannot accept a deal which ties us to Brussels and gives them so much power over our future trade deals, and doesn't deal with the Irish situation.

I hope she finds the guts to a) cross a few Conservative MPs off her Christmas card list and b) to face Barnier and Tusk head on and tell them we are leaving without a deal if the one on the table is the only one.

Those who voted to Leave expect Brexit, not a half measure.

Hard Brexiteer MPs are not the enemy.

Let’s hope they all shut up now.
I noticed Rees-Mogg seemed a bit shocked. What will he & Boris do next I wonder.

I hope she's at number 10 with her feet up and with a large G&T in her hand having a jolly good laugh at Rees Mogg and Boris. However, I suspect she's hard at work. Good on her!

I am relieved and pleased with the result of the confidence vote.

Well done TM

Jane10
Rees-Mogg and Boris
Sounds like a cartoon strip to me.

Me too. I'm a leaver through and through. I might send her a congratulatory card and some roses...
Happy days.

Lets hope Boris , Jacob, Liam, Dominic,David et al accept the 63% democratic vote and get behind May and stop whingeing on. Or do the decent thing and resign from the party and join UKIP if their principles mean more than self aggrandisement. (Maybe got that one wrong.)

In a contrary sort of way, the plotters have actually enhanced TM’s image as the alternatives were too awful to contemplate.
I hope there are 117 resignations in the near future (but JRM and BJ will do for starters)

She has such dignity

Good description of JRM’s reaction maw.

I am starting to actively dislike Laura Kuenssberg, her bias and gloating truly turn me off.

That bias really surprised me tonight. And JRM gave her a smile. I’ve always liked her until now.