Boris: What next?

[lpm]

On twitter someone said he's attempting a coup d'tw.t.

[jimbob]

Meanwhile from across the pond
https://twitter.com/TotalSeasons/status ... 0505901056

Four Seasons Total Landscaping
@TotalSeasons
Normal
10%
.
@BorisJohnson
.
@10DowningStreet


Just touching base - we feel the time is right for a press conference.

We have some experience with this sort of thing

[lpm]

Oryx have been forced to stop calculating Russian losses. All their processing capabilities have been diverted to tracking resignations.

[lpm]

We've reached the point where Johnson can't stay as lame duck PM during the leadership process.

Both May and Cameron could continue to govern after resigning as leader. Johnson can't. There needs to be an interim PM which is an interesting development.

[tenchboy]

Thursdy morning:Guy Opperman, Pensions Minister 5th Minister to go. (BBC Live)

ETA

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis became the latest cabinet member to quit early on Thursday, quickly followed by four other ministers.

Previously-loyal supporters - including Priti Patel and Grant Shapps - urged him to step down on Wednesday.

But Mr Johnson insists he has a "colossal mandate to keep going" from voters.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Suella Braverman has said she will stand in any leadership challenge, although she did not resign.

Treasury minister Helen Whately, security minister Damian Hinds, science minister George Freeman and pensions minister Guy Opperman also resigned in swift succession.

[TopBadger]

There seems to be a resignation every 15 mins... so it will be a government of 1 by tea time...

I agree that he can't be trusted to stay on in the interim.

[FlammableFlower]

The coup d'tw.t line is brilliant.

Along the lines of TopBadger's Post- how many are actually left in government now? And how many positions are left from which somone hasn't resigned?

[WFJ]

The coup d'tw.t line is brilliant.

Along the lines of TopBadger's Post- how many are actually left in government now? And how many positions are left from which somone hasn't resigned?

Most of the cabinet and senior positions are still filled, but there's lots of empty junior positions.

[TimW]

There needs to be an interim PM which is an interesting development.

B'Stard is deputy, so does that make it him?

[Little waster]

The coup d'tw.t line is brilliant.

Along the lines of TopBadger's Post- how many are actually left in government now? And how many positions are left from which somone hasn't resigned?

The IFG lists:-

The current payroll vote is between 160 and 170 MPs, consisting of:

95 ministers (including whips) in the House of Commons
47 parliamentary private secretaries (assuming all those who also serve on the Privileges Committee have resigned their PPS role to be able to investigate the prime minister)
20 Conservative MP trade envoys
an unknown number of party vice-chairs.

So around a third have gone.

THe remaining “talent” pool is around 200 backbenchers but a number of those will be staunch Boris critics or otherwise unsuitable/unlikely to be appointed. Following the Great Remoaner Purge of 2019 the current Cabinet were already the dregs of the Tory Party, at the point they start putting Fabricunt in place as Minister of Syrups and Chope in place as Women’s Minister you’ll know they are through the wood and into the foul-smelling mud underneath.

OTOH Johnson can also appoint Lords to the Cabinet and the payroll was already fairly bloated by historic standards for various reasons so a lot of positions could simply remain unfilled without noticeably affecting the Government’s alleged delivery.

[lpm]

I'm gonna get myself appointed as junior mod of Scrutable, then within a day demand all the boss mods quit. "It is with great sadness, EPD, that I must ask you to resign."

[TimW]

Michelle Donelan has resigned!?

[lpm]

There needs to be an interim PM which is an interesting development.

B'Stard is deputy, so does that make it him?

I don't believe "Deputy PM" is a title that has any constitutional meaning. There's no automatic appointment but it would be a reasonable choice for Her Majesty to make.

[lpm]

Michelle Donelan has resigned!?

You're making this up now.

[Little waster]

Mark Logan MP
@Mark_Logan_MP
You’re taking the piss now. #go

Well fair enough.

[jimbob]

Michelle Donelan has resigned!?

Yup.

Michelle Donelan has resigned!?

You're making this up now.

Nope

https://twitter.com/michelledonelan/sta ... 9549708288

[Stephanie]

Michelle Donelan has resigned!?

You're making this up now.

nah, just saw her letter haha. Nadhim Zahawi has also written a letter telling Johnson to resign

[TopBadger]

Michelle Donelan has resigned!?

You're making this up now.

Nope... only appointed on Tuesday.

Nahawi also calling for him to go... will he resign over this too having failed to influence the situation with words?

[Grumble]

How many more between 9 and 10 this morning? Another 4 I reckon.

[Grumble]

How many more between 9 and 10 this morning? Another 4 I reckon.

And now, at last, Boris

[lpm]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I don't want the comedy to end.

[WFJ]

There could still be more fun if lots of Tories believe he can't stay on in the interim.

[FlammableFlower]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I don't want the comedy to end.

There's still the current thought he'll stay on as caretaker PM... plenty of room whilst the leadership contest goes on for hilarity.

[Grumble]

There could still be more fun if lots of Tories believe he can't stay on in the interim.

Hard to see how they could accept jobs in government with him still there.

[Little waster]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I don't want the comedy to end.

And so he departs as he ruled, like a screaming red-faced toddler throwing a tantrum in a supermarket, deeply embarrassing for all involved.