Conservative Party Leader announcement...

The only thing I admired about Jenrick was that he resigned as a Minister, losing the salary, the chauffeured car etc. he literally ‘put his money where his mouth is’. He pointed out how the UK needs to leave the ECHR over irregular immigrants.
That said I think he’s a one-trick pony with little substance.

Badenoch meanwhile is keeping her powder dry by trying to heal the rift between One Nation wets and the Right. The ‘broad church’ they’re always on about.

Well the voting public won’t want Miss Continuity! They voted for CHANGE a lá Starmer which is what we’re getting in spades right now.

The next GE will be interesting for any of us around to see it in 4 years’ time. If Labour makes a bad fist of it the wheel will turn again. Next time I really think Reform will do well. I suppose in the meantime the ball’s in Starmer’s court.

Interesting mini portraits of both candidates, policies, controversy.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/nov/01/the-culture-warrior-and-the-populist-badenoch-and-jenrick-in-profile

Iam64

I don’t like the way Jenrick has reinvented himself along the way. I don’t see him as authentic. He was foolish and irresponsible in his comments about the Southport murder investigation and should have known better.

I heard Badenoch on Women’s Hour and on the Sunday evening political interview with Nick Robinson. Obviously, her politics aren’t mine but she was articulate, warm, entertaining and intelligent. She may be the stronger candidate but what a mess the Conservatives have got themselves into.

Well, I don't usually vote Tory but would say 'Neither of the above'.

That is a very measured post about Jenrick.
I'm not at all sure about Badenoch either.

However, five years is a long time in politics.

Babs03

On the politics show yesterday was pointed out that Jenrick had reinvented himself several times to become the odious little man he is but Badenoch is what she is and has not changed an iota in what she believes, which means absolutely nothing to me but might mean something to those who support the party.

Why is this kind of remark considered acceptable:
the odious little man he is
when any adverse comments about Starmer are met by some with condemnation?

I think neither candidate has the ability to really gather the party together to include centrist Conservative politics, but Badenoch's rigidity of thinking (my way or no way?) the less so: her "vision" is likely to wreck the welfare state and yes, I think a danger is she'd "lose it" at crucial times.

All politicians change their minds on policies as time goes on, but I don't trust Jenrick's landslide oh so rapid "re-invention" to the right (and conversion to Trump) as someone I can respect.

Well, hope I'm wrong about the ability of the party to unite and become a decent opposition under one of these two, as thats what I really did want

Am a Labour supporter, have major criticisms of the party right now but would still vote for them because is about the party PMs/leaders come and go as does their vision for the nation. But a healthy opposition is important and my hope had been for a centre right candidate to put paid to the failures of the last 14 years, namely the creep towards the far right, but it looks like the party are determined to rival Reform by becoming even more rigidly far right, yet again selling a pup to the nation about controlling immigration when for 14 years they had the very worst record for this.
Kemi is hard nosed and inflexible, prone to hissy fits if she is challenged. So am imagining she will be the first but not the last to lead the party in the next five years.

growstuff, I don’t like Badenoch and agree she quickly becomes aggressive when challenged. My thoughts after hearing both candidates this week is the Tory faithful (what’s left of it) may well vote for her

^Why is this kind of remark considered acceptable:
the odious little man he is
when any adverse comments about Starmer are met by some with condemnation?^

Totally agree Allira
I couldn’t agree more. We are often urged to stop ‘silly playground name callings’ aren’t we?

I agree as well Allira.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

^Why is this kind of remark considered acceptable:
the odious little man he is
when any adverse comments about Starmer are met by some with condemnation?^

Totally agree Allira
I couldn’t agree more. We are often urged to stop ‘silly playground name callings’ aren’t we?

Anyone who critisizes Starmer can do so, am not going to condemn them, and as for name calling I stand by my calling Jenrick an odious little man because he gave the order to paint over Disney murals at a reception centre for families arriving in this country after a harrowing journey, because he didn’t want to make them or their children more importantly feel welcome.
Am sorry if my saying that about Jenrick offends anyone but tbh his behaviour offended me and many others at the time.

Play the ball not the man. Jenrick an MP with odious ideas.

Kemi Badenoch is the new leader.

Yes, she is, just seen it.

I suppose the big question is, what do we think of her hair?

MissA

She said it’s “time to tell the truth” - meaning they were lying before?

MissAdventure

I suppose the big question is, what do we think of her hair?

.....or what she is wearing

True! Male politicians never get scrutinized in such a shallow way.

Oh they do mae.

Boris Johnson was called scruffy.
Rishi Sunak’s clothes were apparently too expensive.
Keir Starmer couldn’t pay for his own clothes.

All male.
All criticised.

“She said it’s “time to tell the truth” - meaning they were lying before?”

Yes vegansrock I thought that was a very interesting comment! I wonder if Beth Rigby et al, in the right wing media, will probe her on that Let’s see!

FriedGreenTomatoes2

^Why is this kind of remark considered acceptable:
the odious little man he is
when any adverse comments about Starmer are met by some with condemnation?^

Totally agree Allira
I couldn’t agree more. We are often urged to stop ‘silly playground name callings’ aren’t we?

I really don’t get this criticism at all, because virtually everybody makes similar comments about people they don’t agree with. The right call the left, the left call the right. That’s how it works.

Babs03

FriedGreenTomatoes2

^Why is this kind of remark considered acceptable:
the odious little man he is
when any adverse comments about Starmer are met by some with condemnation?^

Totally agree Allira
I couldn’t agree more. We are often urged to stop ‘silly playground name callings’ aren’t we?

Anyone who critisizes Starmer can do so, am not going to condemn them, and as for name calling I stand by my calling Jenrick an odious little man because he gave the order to paint over Disney murals at a reception centre for families arriving in this country after a harrowing journey, because he didn’t want to make them or their children more importantly feel welcome.
Am sorry if my saying that about Jenrick offends anyone but tbh his behaviour offended me and many others at the time.

It was a horrible, spiteful thing to do and I will never forgive him for it. Odious is a mild term compared to what I think of him.

A bit of criticism for scruffy presentation or clothes cost is in a much lower league than the sexist comments women endure

I’m not surprised Badenoch won with poor competition. Let’s see if she’s as irritable and arrogant as she’s seemed (at times )

No pressure then, Kemi.

LizzieDrip

“She said it’s “time to tell the truth” - meaning they were lying before?”

Yes vegansrock I thought that was a very interesting comment! I wonder if Beth Rigby et al, in the right wing media, will probe her on that Let’s see!

I doubt it. I may have to temporarily stop turning Sky News off when she’s on just to see. I used to really rate her, too. I understand that Hunt has refused to be in the shadow cabinet with her as leader as well as Cleverley. This isn’t the sort of opposition that I wanted for the country.