http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-40105324
“If you were going to write what not to do in a campaign, running it on ‘strong and stable’ and changing your mind on everything would be it.” “I’m f****d off. People say on the doorstep: “She’s going after pensioners, she doesn’t know what she’s doing and doesn’t answer questions.”“It’s totally shattered the confidence of the parliamentary party. Colleagues up and down the country are just f***** off. She said she wasn’t going to call a general election, and they’ve totally f****d it up.
Not my words, but those of a clearly dis illusioned Conservative MP who for obvious reasons insists on remaining anonymous. This morning, Theresa May held a press conference, her most favoured form of communication with people, where she or her minders can control the content and the questions to suit their own comfort areas. I lost count of the number of times she used the words me, or I, or my, as she waded through a prepared script distinctly slanted towards Brexit and only mentioning in passing any areas of policy, but not missing the chance to throw in a few personal snipes at Jeremy Corbyn. What was interesting however, was her use on a number of occasions, of the phrase, "My government will ensure etc etc", or "My government will" do this or that as if she were practising for another role. If HM was watching this broadcast, she need not be too worried as Theesa May would not be able to handle the "mixing with people" that this other role would require.
The Prime Minister dumped the task of debating a failed government campaign stategy and policy (if there is one), on the shoulders of Amber Rudd who did reasonably well considering her own personal circumstances, though she too was floundering on a number of occasions during the debate, having to resort to personal attacks towards Corbyn and the now well worn conservative cliche of "the magic money tree" before falling into the hole of inviting the audience to "judge the government on its record", which drew laughter and inaudible comments.
The remaing members of the panel, Tim Farron, Caroline Lucas, Leanne Wood, Paul Nuttall and Angus Robertson, often descended into exchages all shouting over each other, behaving as if the evening debate was a relay of the weekly Questions to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons.
At the end of the debate, each candidte gave a closing statement and apart from Amber
Rudd, mentioned the abscence of the Prime Minister. Caroline Lucas caught the mood with
her comment in response to the final audience question about leadership. Lucas remarked
"Well, I think the first rule of leadership is to show up.You don’t call a general election and
say it’s the most important election in her lifetime, and then not even be bothered to debate the issues at stake.”
A reply which registered with the audience in the hall and probably with the voters around
the country as well.
The prime minister is not here tonight. She can’t be bothered.
 |
| A woman in hiding |
One week from today (Thursday June 1st) this country will go to the polls to elect a government for the next five years.The result of that poll is even far more reaching than that, as the government on the morning of June 9th will determine the direction and shape of this country for decades to come. It is then almost unbeleivable, that the Prime Minister, who called the general election when she had no need to do so, other than the irrestable temptation to cynically capitalise on an apparent 40% lead in the polls, the Prime Minister who had repeatedly said that there would not be a general election until 2020, should make such a shamles "U turn" and call an election with just 7 weeks notice.
Almost unbelievable that Theresa May should decline at least two invitations to attend televised debates with the leaders of the other parties, and to put her case to the country through millions of television viewers. Only when we consider the appalling mess that the Prime Minister has created during the course of this election campaign can we begin to understand her reluctance to debate the issues with other leaders.It was the Prime Ministers intemtion to limit the focus of the campaign to Brexit and the conservatives have no policy options to put forward, other than a few half baked uncosted ideas on "Green papers" the details of which will be "worked out after polling day".“If you were going to write what not to do in a campaign, running it on ‘strong and stable’ and changing your mind on everything would be it.” “I’m f****d off. People say on the doorstep: “She’s going after pensioners, she doesn’t know what she’s doing and doesn’t answer questions.”“It’s totally shattered the confidence of the parliamentary party. Colleagues up and down the country are just f***** off. She said she wasn’t going to call a general election, and they’ve totally f****d it up.
Not my words, but those of a clearly dis illusioned Conservative MP who for obvious reasons insists on remaining anonymous. This morning, Theresa May held a press conference, her most favoured form of communication with people, where she or her minders can control the content and the questions to suit their own comfort areas. I lost count of the number of times she used the words me, or I, or my, as she waded through a prepared script distinctly slanted towards Brexit and only mentioning in passing any areas of policy, but not missing the chance to throw in a few personal snipes at Jeremy Corbyn. What was interesting however, was her use on a number of occasions, of the phrase, "My government will ensure etc etc", or "My government will" do this or that as if she were practising for another role. If HM was watching this broadcast, she need not be too worried as Theesa May would not be able to handle the "mixing with people" that this other role would require.
 |
The remaing members of the panel, Tim Farron, Caroline Lucas, Leanne Wood, Paul Nuttall and Angus Robertson, often descended into exchages all shouting over each other, behaving as if the evening debate was a relay of the weekly Questions to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons.
 |
Rudd, mentioned the abscence of the Prime Minister. Caroline Lucas caught the mood with
her comment in response to the final audience question about leadership. Lucas remarked
"Well, I think the first rule of leadership is to show up.You don’t call a general election and
say it’s the most important election in her lifetime, and then not even be bothered to debate the issues at stake.”
A reply which registered with the audience in the hall and probably with the voters around
the country as well.
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