Who To Follow May?

[AB Editor]

I can't see if there's anyone called June on the Tory party list.

But who could possibly take over with any credibility?

I've seen Boris and Reese-Moog mentioned - but clearly they are not serious contender as they have little mass appeal.

Who are some likely candidates to fill Mrs May's leopard print heels?

[Zacs-Master]

Has to be Boris for me I'm afraid. Best of a bad bunch and I secretly think he wanted it last time around but was politically manoeuvred by Cameron.

[Jackdaw33]

To be effective the PM needs to have a seat in the H of C.

[jim360]

In one sense, at least, May is correct -- the only party who *could* lead the UK at the moment is the Tories. What bothers me is that she hasn't seemed to understand that this was still a defeat for her personally. She can cling on, but she'll need at least to show understanding of her own failings. I'm not sure she's capable of that -- probably too busy blaming the public, or her opposition, or some other flimsy excuse.

Or maybe that's too harsh, and she's decided that trying to ignore the implications of the result does at least allow for some veneer of stability. The alternative would, of course, be yet another election, yet more delays.

At the very least, I hope she's feeling deservedly stupid for calling that snap election in the first place. Never needed to, and it's failed spectacularly.

[Jackdaw33]

If I were her I would depart with dignity and hand over the reins to someone else.

[dannyk13]

But who would you replace her with Jack?

[kvalidir]

I can't see someone as savvy as Boris Johnson touching the Tory leadership with a barge pole, he'll wait a while he's young enough yet.

[Bazile]

It's the polls that did it , innit

She was riding so high on the crest of the polls, that said that the labour party was so unpopular that 'noone' would vote for them .

Enter the PM advisers - '' Theresa , forget what we said about not calling a general election - lets go to the country now , while the going is good and give JC a good kicking - it's a no brainer ''

Trouble is those pesky electorate can't even be relied on to vote correctly .

[dannyk13]

Do we have a deputy PM? If so who is it?

[mikey4444]

Bazile....there was widespread ordure heaped upon Labour and Corbyns head here on AB.

But the people responsible for that seem strangely quiet to day.

[Jackdaw33]

No. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. It is not an officially recognised office, more of a courtesy title.

[Jackdaw33]

I'm not quiet! Disappointed, yes, quiet, no.

[hereIam]

Exactly jim at 15:16, she obviously thought she was safe! I bet she now wishes she'd stuck to what she said in the first place, no election until 2020!

[Quizmonster]

Some people here and elsewhere seem to have got hold of a peculiar idea that Tories just elected to Westminster constituencies in Scotland are somehow "Ruth Davidson's Scottish Tories". They're not; they're Theresa May's Scottish Tories...at least until she is 'defenestrated' and that surely cannot be long in coming, given the shambles she has needlessly created.

[ichkeria]

There won't be a replacement any time soon. Brexit negotiations are due to begin shortly and the last thing the country needs is the Tories faffing about with a leadership contest. Time for them to put the country first for once.
Longer term though unlikely they'd risk her going head to head with Corbyn again. Mind you I have a feeling Labour under Corbyn may have gone as far as it can. There are only so many UKIP votes to claw back.

[ichkeria]

PS if it's landslides you want then France is the place, this Sunday :-)

[Bigbad]

I would prefer Jacob Rees Mogg, David Davies or Andrea Leadsom over the clown-like philanderer that is Boris Johnson.

I was unimpressed with Mrs. May’s speech after seeing The Queen. It just seemed like a rerun of what she’s said before with “it is clear that only the Conservative and Unionist party have the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty” added in, as if it was something she had always expected to have to say.
Will she eventually admit how badly she screwed up?

[naomi24]

I've no idea who they'll choose when the time comes.

Mikey, //there was widespread ordure heaped upon Labour and Corbyns head here on AB. But the people responsible for that seem strangely quiet to day. //

I don't know what you've been reading,, but that's not the impression I've gained - and I've been out for most of the day.

[Jackdaw33]

Davis for me. He tells it like it is, no bullocks.

[Jackdaw33]

I remember when the Tories were last in opposition, c. 2008, Davis resigned his seat, I cannot remember what the issue was, and stood again in the by-election, easily winning. Cameron never forgave him and dropped him from the shadow cabinet, where he remained until Theresa brought him back. She might live to rue that decision.