Sunak says he’s not going to attend the Cop27 climate summit.

Are there enough of the far-right fascists in government, and their fellow travellers, to oust him, do you think Dickens?

DaisyAnne

Are there enough of the far-right fascists in government, and their fellow travellers, to oust him, do you think Dickens?

I'm not Dickens, but I think there are enough to bring down his government if they feel inclined to do so. The government's majority is now, I believe, about 70. It only needs 35+ to vote against,say, the budget, and he's dead. I think that the ERG is about that number. They've been wagging the tory government's tails for ever; it was they who ultimately brought down Theresa May...

DaisyAnne

Are there enough of the far-right fascists in government, and their fellow travellers, to oust him, do you think Dickens?

I think they are a minority TBH. But they've all jumped into the boat and are drawing a lot of water.

I assume the more level-headed MPs will realise that attempting to oust Sunak before the ink from his signature is even dry could easily prompt more (and more vociferous) calls for a GE.

I'm still curious about whether Starmer did or didn't go into the Cabinet room. Maybe they were going to ask him if he fancied going to COP27?

Mr Sunak has faced criticism from opposition parties, environmental groups and some Conservatives, after No 10 said he was not expected to attend the summit.

Liberal Democrat climate spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse called for Mr Sunak to "immediately confirm his attendance", adding: "It shouldn't take Boris Johnson going to COP to embarrass Rishi Sunak into doing the right thing."

There are reports Mr Johnson, who attended the Glasgow summit when he was prime minister, could go to Egypt for this year's event.

Labour have accused Mr Sunak of a "failure of leadership" and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said it was "absolutely so wrong" that Mr Sunak was not going, as the UK is still COP president, adding: "Symbols matter."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63454966

MaizieD

DaisyAnne

Are there enough of the far-right fascists in government, and their fellow travellers, to oust him, do you think Dickens?

I'm not Dickens, but I think there are enough to bring down his government if they feel inclined to do so. The government's majority is now, I believe, about 70. It only needs 35+ to vote against,say, the budget, and he's dead. I think that the ERG is about that number. They've been wagging the tory government's tails for ever; it was they who ultimately brought down Theresa May...

Indeed Maizie. If they voted against the budget that would be a vote of no confidence in the government, leading to an election? That would, indeed, be very bearable. I was really thinking/concerned about yet another change of PM (Johnson back?), but I would rather think about your suggestion.

Why would the ERG vote against their own government, precipitating an election which they would be bound to lose?

Years ago there were moderate Tory MPs who could not have supported an ultra right government but they have long gone.

MaizieD

DaisyAnne

Are there enough of the far-right fascists in government, and their fellow travellers, to oust him, do you think Dickens?

I'm not Dickens, but I think there are enough to bring down his government if they feel inclined to do so. The government's majority is now, I believe, about 70. It only needs 35+ to vote against,say, the budget, and he's dead. I think that the ERG is about that number. They've been wagging the tory government's tails for ever; it was they who ultimately brought down Theresa May...

But how will they benefit if the government is indeed brought down? Perhaps they intend to defect to the former Brexit party, Reform UK?

It only needs 35+ to vote against, say, the budget...

Actually, that is quite a small number isn't it?

The ERG might want to have their own Brexit party/Reform UK Party, but why should they bother when they already control the Tory Party?

Perhaps a Sunak u-turn is on the way (given Johnson talk of going to COP27 though I can't think what Johnson could contribute other than few Latin tags).

varian

The ERG might want to have their own Brexit party/Reform UK Party, but why should they bother when they already control the Tory Party?

They would, in my opinion, want to hang on to the Conservative name. There could be a battle over that as there are votes that will go, simply to the name. Which group would be strong enough to fight for it against them?

The ERG had the same hold over Cameron, forcing him to hold the Brexit vote, it’s not likely to result in a forced GE though. Exactly the same happened to the Labour Party under Milliband and Corbyn, extremist politics.

varian: ''There are reports Mr Johnson, who attended the Glasgow summit when he was prime minister, could go to Egypt for this year's event.''

in what capacity would he be attending? He is a mere MP, who is not even acting like an MP in his own Constituency?

Now Rhisi Sunak is going
Boris was apparently invited by the Egyptian government

rosie1959

Now Rhisi Sunak is going
Boris was apparently invited by the Egyptian government

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63484971

🙄 🤷

We need a proactive Prime Minister, not one manipulated by a section of the parliamentary party or reacting to provocation from a previous PM...

Sunak might have been a great hedge fund manager, but he is no leader...

Another U turn then.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt this time.

He has had the top job 9 days, he has an awful lot to do on the domestic front. He has now decided that time wise he can afford a couple of days to go to Sharm el Sheik.

Let’s hope that there is a joint agreement to help slow down climate change from all governments attending.

U turn No. 1 for the current PM. Oh well, only nine days in post.!!!

Johnson still pulling the parliamentary strings. I can see why May made him foreign secretary to ‘ keep him close’. What might be good for the country and, indeed, the world, is that Johnson, having failed at being a great PM still wants a legacy of some kind. And seems to determined to get it via supporting Ukraine and environmental issues.

Apparently the opinion is that Starmer wiped the floor with Sunak at PMQs

Whitewavemark2

Apparently the opinion is that Starmer wiped the floor with Sunak at PMQs

He certainly did.

I was reading today (forget where) that the problem with Sunak is that he has such little experience, nor political acumen, that he is not really up to running a rounded government.

Whitewavemark2

I was reading today (forget where) that the problem with Sunak is that he has such little experience, nor political acumen, that he is not really up to running a rounded government.

I think it might have been mentioned in the Rory Stewart/ Alastair Campbell podcast. Just realised I haven’t checked to see if there’s a new one.

No ‘cause I’ve been out so not listened to any podcasts - must do that later - I reckon it may have been the Guardian.

The Guardian. Rafael Behr?

Part of the explanation is Sunak’s lack of experience and interest in any aspect of government other than finance. He was a banker before he was a politician and, aside from a stint as a bag-carrier at the communities department, his ministerial rise was a vertical ascent through the Treasury.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/02/rishi-sunak-suella-braverman-british-politics-austerity-hostile-environment