Iain Duncan Smith resigns

[Bozza]

I'm hoping it's a reduction in the number of suicides in their factories.

Blimey - bringing up a story from when Labour were still in power (and got superseded by the workforce welfare shortcomings of Samsung).

 

[spring hall convert]

Good old fashioned Incompetence? As you say after the tax credit debacle you'd have thought they (Osborne) would have learn't their lesson. Apparently IDS resisted the latest cuts then had to defend them only for them to be withdrawn earlier today ... shambolic. No wonder he put the knife into the Chancellor.

Agree the Tories will go through a substantial blood letting but Labour have their own unresolvable issues which will have to be addressed at some point. I feel sorry for the Labour moderates as this government disarray temporarily solidifies Corbyn's position further increasing the delusional view that he can actually win.

The next year should be interesting though and I won't be surprised to see new leaders in both main parties at the end of it.

I actually think the Tories perception of a lack of opposition is distinctly unhelpful for them, it increases the potential for serious bloodletting over Europe and the leadership.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Good old fashioned Incompetence? As you say after the tax credit debacle you'd have thought they (Osborne) would have learn't their lesson. Apparently IDS resisted the latest cuts then had to defend them only for them to be withdrawn earlier today ... shambolic. No wonder he put the knife into the Chancellor.

Agree the Tories will go through a substantial blood letting but Labour have their own unresolvable issues which will have to be addressed at some point. I feel sorry for the Labour moderates as this government disarray temporarily solidifies Corbyn's position further increasing the delusional view that he can actually win.

The next year should be interesting though and I won't be surprised to see new leaders in both main parties at the end of it.

Spot on, as you often are. I imagine our Xs rarely if ever go in the same box, but as I think we have agreed in the past, it is better when the two parties of relevance have some coherence and a portfolio of reasonable policies. it is all a mess right now. If find it rather worrying . . .

 

[JC Footy Genius]

for once I agree with you Corbyn will not be the leader at the next election (assuming its in 4/5 years) someone will come out of the pack, but he (Corbyn) is laying the base of a decent socialist party at last.
but the Labour party will have to be ready and quickly, because if the tories going shooting themselves in the foot everyday they will not have anyone credible to lead them .................who will come out of the pack for them?

If and it's a mighty big IF the PLP get rid of Corbyn and managed to find a credible candidate acceptable to them and the membership (impossible?) they may have a chance. Also assuming the Tories don't get their act together post referendum which is entirely dependant on the result and how decisive it is.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

If and it's a mighty big IF the PLP get rid of Corbyn and managed to find a credible candidate acceptable to them and the membership (impossible?) they may have a chance. Also assuming the Tories don't get their act together post referendum which is entirely dependant on the result and how decisive it is.

The problem labour have is if a leadership challenge is mounted, Corbyn will smash it because the electorate is stuffed full of idealist lefty throwbacks. The only hope labour have is if Corbyn stands down. He's a delicate flower, though, so there is a possibility he may be becoming increasingly aware of his frailities. It may take a stuffing in the local elections to sober him up properly, in this regard though. That's my hope . . . . still time for them to get their act together for the big election . . . .

 

[JC Footy Genius]

I actually think the Tories perception of a lack of opposition is distinctly unhelpful for them, it increases the potential for serious bloodletting over Europe and the leadership.

Completely agree, also dependant on the referendum result and how decisive it is. Interesting times.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

The problem labour have is if a leadership challenge is mounted, Corbyn will smash it because the electorate is stuffed full of idealist lefty throwbacks. The only hope labour have is if Corbyn stands down. He's a delicate flower, though, so there is a possibility he may be becoming increasingly aware of his frailities. It may take a stuffing in the local elections to sober him up properly, in this regard though. That's my hope . . . . still time for them to get their act together for the big election . . . .

Problem is HWt if the Tories start to implode Labour may do OK in the local elections or any poor performance will be barely noticed. I think Corbyn may well get a second wind and really believe his Socialist Utopian dream is actually achievable.

 

[beorhthelm]

He's trying to take the moral high ground on the decision to cut benefits for the disabled, but it's a political rather than compassionate decision. ... In the other corner is Boris, who gets the vote and rewards IDS with a higher profile cabinet job.

think this might have over analysed IDS and motives. he has previous been on record fighting for his budget, off record threatening to leave. i think he believed he was helping with the reforms, albeit very poor implementation of univeral credit. so i would say its more simply, he's had enough, and wanted to go down kicking. cant seriously see him in higher office with the general popular perception of him. though there is probably a large measure of wounding Osbornes, future leadership credentials, and that cant be a bad thing.

 

[catfish]

I've had the misfortune of having to go through his new assessment regime administered by his mates from Atos and now Maximus. I've also helped several other severely disabled people
through the process and can assure you that IDS does not give a toss about the welfare of disabled people.

 

[spring hall convert]

Problem is HWt if the Tories start to implode Labour may do OK in the local elections or any poor performance will be barely noticed. I think Corbyn may well get a second wind and really believe his Socialist Utopian dream is actually achievable.

I think Labour will do well in the locals regardless. No one votes in them and Corbyn supporters will mobilise.

The more important result is Scotland and I can't see that going well.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

Boris or Gideon though?

Depends on the referendum result. Gideon is seriously weakened by this whole affair while Boris's stock is rising although I can't see how he could lead a Conservative government if we stay in. My best guess. .

If we stay in Gideon will still be the party establishment candidate but he won't be a shoe in now. Possibly May or someone not even on the radar will end up winning. If we vote leave most likely Boris with Gove as a dark horse.

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

Celebrating a bumper Cheltenham with some fizzy stuff as it happens. Thanks for the thought and concern though.

Well as long as you're alright...

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

... Thanks for the thought and concern though.

Something you apparently have little of for the vulnerable in our society.

Yes i know you were being flippant, doing it a tory way isn't the brightest move seeing the current budget though, is it?

You're lucky it doesn't affect those you are close to.

 

[Bozza]

Something you apparently have little of for the vulnerable in our society.

Yes i know you were being flippant, doing it a tory way isn't the brightest move seeing the current budget though, is it?

You're lucky it doesn't affect those you are close to.

Sorry, what?

The budget may very well affect me. I'm sure it does - I've just not looked yet. That's not through some sort of flippancy either. If it's anything, it's more an "ostrich head-in-the-sand" thing as I'm out of work for the first time since I left university over 20 years ago. I've got a sizeable mortgage and a family to look after.

But, also, it's like gravity right? Whatever has been announced I can't influence in any meaningful way at all.

[MENTION=1416]Ernest[/MENTION] threw a flippant remark at me and I responded in kind. There is nothing more to see here than that.

 

[GT49er]

Nope . . . you have lost me there

Quite possibly ..................... it wasn't difficult.

 

[Eeyore]

It does feel a bit like a middle-ages hangman resigning because he felt the long-drop method was more humane.

 

[Eeyore]

IDS has gone on the scrounge? Tell him to get a job.

He won't suffer nearly half the humiliation I feel after being tossed out my job after sixteen years. Us benefit scroungers know our place.

 

[clapham_gull]

How anyone can defend this shower of shit of a Government is beyond me.

Tory boys - you've got Hyppia in charge with Harry Redknapp in the wings ready to take over. As much as I hated Thatcher she would have seen through this steaming pile of publically school educated wastes of space and demoted them to the back benches.

How honestly can anyone define themselves as Conservative ? Which type of Conservative are you...

The Major days all over again.

 

[Eeyore]

Why exactly does Cameron mention Europe ? Can't help thinking IDS was a dead man walking anyway if the vote was 'stay' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35849331

 

[Swillis]