Cameron "wouldn't serve a third term"

[Danny-Boy]

yes, as leader of the largest party. please remember you dont vote for the leader, but for MPs. the PM is the MP who can most likely command the House of Commons. (actually not sure it even has to be an MP, we've had Lords as PM in the past)

Not since 1963 when Lord Home was appointed to succeed Harold McMillan and had to renounce his peerage and stand in the Commons. He was only able to do that after Wedgie had successfully campaigned to drop his Viscountcy.

I would guess however Dave would leave the Commons in 2020 and go upstairs. Interesting that no mention of repealing the 5-year fixed Parliamemtary term though, a lot of people think that was a mistake as a permanent measure.

 

[jimbob5]

Not since 1963 when Lord Home was appointed to succeed Harold McMillan and had to renounce his peerage and stand in the Commons. He was only able to do that after Wedgie had successfully campaigned to drop his Viscountcy.

I would guess however Dave would leave the Commons in 2020 and go upstairs. Interesting that no mention of repealing the 5-year fixed Parliamemtary term though, a lot of people think that was a mistake as a permanent measure.

If he wins this May and goes in 2020, the Tories would be going into the 2020 General Election without a leader or a leader who has had nil to a couple of months experience as PM. Have you thought this through Danny Boy? See me!

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

If he wins this May and goes in 2020, the Tories would be going into the 2020 General Election without a leader or a leader who has had nil to a couple of months experience as PM. Have you thought this through Danny Boy? See me!

A lot of comment on precisely this on the radio this morning - commentators saying his probably off the cuff unguarded comment could well affect people's views and how they vote.

Not the first time that DC should have thought more before saying something, in my view.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Who or what is David Cameron? He's been a non-leader. What has he done? What does he stand for? A midget on the international stage and anonymous at home who has been kept busy trying to keep his unruly party in order, whilst his chums George and IDS screw over the least fortunate in our society. To say he won't be missed would suggest I noticed he was there in the first place.

David Cameron just another beneficiary of the something for nothing culture that rules this country with it's inherited wealth and privilege.

 

[Pavilionaire]

He was asked a question, he gave an honest answer and he and his party are getting attacked for it. And the campaign hasn't even started - God help us!

Personally, I like the 'two-term' cap the US use for their President, but they only do a 4-year term while we do 5. Thatcher and Blair had disappointing third terms, I think the mix of megalomania and fatigue is a good one to avoid.

The media are making much too much out of it.

 

[GT49er]

Interesting that no mention of repealing the 5-year fixed Parliamemtary term though, a lot of people think that was a mistake as a permanent measure.

Certainly agree it was a mistake.

While hoping the Tories don't get a third term (or even a second one for that matter!) I think the idea of a planned handover is basically a good one. The potential successor can be named a reasonable time before the election, and the incumbent PM can then give full support without the hoo-hah there is about most leadership changes.

 

[beorhthelm]

If he wins this May and goes in 2020, the Tories would be going into the 2020 General Election without a leader or a leader who has had nil to a couple of months experience as PM. Have you thought this through Danny Boy? See me!

so pretty much the same as any newly elected PM or leader.

...The potential successor can be named a reasonable time before the election, and the incumbent PM can then give full support without the hoo-hah there is about most leadership changes.

now thats a novel idea. instead we are having the hoo-hah now.

 

[BLOCK F]

Really hoping he does not get a 2nd let alone a 3rd.
Vile, smarmy, lying piece of crap with vile policies, but can you imagine Teresa May, George Osborn or Boris Johnson as PM.
As a floating voter the Tories wont be getting my vote because I have a conscience and care about people who are worse off than me both in health and wealth something this Tory party just does not care about.
It worries me that so many do not seem able to see right through them with the decisions they have made in the name of austerity, they had no intention of paying back the deficit, and they wont in the next 5 years either.
If the cuts are due to get much deeper god help those suffering due to the cuts now.
And don't forget that after his son died and the care he got on the NHS he said that he will not change the NHS and it is safe in Our hands.
Sorry Cameron you are not for me.

Oh,so you won't vote Tory 'because I have a conscience and care about people who are worse off than me......etc.'
Well,I take it then that anyone who does vote for the Tories, according to you,has no conscience or thoughts for any less fortunate than themselves.
Hmm,well,what does it feel like to be so presumptious, righteous, smug and entirely wrong?

 

[Downlander]

Terrific post this! Wonderful vehicle for the looney left bile peddlers!

I haven’t voted Labour since the 1070’s. Labour have had some admiral politicians since – some that I even highly respected – but I couldn’t vote for a party that has such moronic, distortional, hateful supporters. An abuse is not an argument.

 

[BensGrandad]

Could he be just saying to voters, vote for the party not me as an individual as I will be handing over to my successor. This will thwart any Boris followers or supporters for the time being thus having a united party rather than one split by personalities.

 

[drew]

Certainly agree it was a mistake.

While hoping the Tories don't get a third term (or even a second one for that matter!) I think the idea of a planned handover is basically a good one. The potential successor can be named a reasonable time before the election, and the incumbent PM can then give full support without the hoo-hah there is about most leadership changes.

Is the law an irrelevance anyway? Most incumbents would go full term given the choice and probably the only other way, other than calling an election when you are well ahead is a vote of no confidence and if you lose that the 5 year rule goes out the window.

 

[drew]

As for the original question, yes, he gave an honest answer but the diplomatic one would have been to say something along the lines of ' let's win a second term before thinking about a third one'.

It shows a lack of awareness and, in some eyes, an arrogance. It also sets in motion the party leader debate which will dog him from now on whether or not he wins the next election!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32022484

Either he's got a very small appetite or his knowledge of breakfast cereals is up there with his knowledge of cornish pasties and the common man.

What's wrong with his knowledge of breakfast cereals?

 

[Notters]

What's wrong with his knowledge of breakfast cereals?

Sorry, the error of my ways has been pointed out on Facebook. I was unaware of the 80s reference!

 

[jimbob5]

so pretty much the same as any newly elected PM or leader.



now thats a novel idea. instead we are having the hoo-hah now.

I'll remind you of that in 5 years assuming DC wins this election.

 

[jakarta]

Not going to happen, wee Alex has spoken. I didn't realise he was still SNP Leader but there you go...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32045419

 

[Hotchilidog]

As for the original question, yes, he gave an honest answer but the diplomatic one would have been to say something along the lines of ' let's win a second term before thinking about a third one'.

It shows a lack of awareness and, in some eyes, an arrogance. It also sets in motion the party leader debate which will dog him from now on whether or not he wins the next election!

Absolutely. An incredibly arrogant statement. Not quite given enough publicity for it be his Kinnock moment, but it may sway a small number of voters.

 

[Seagull58]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32022484

Either he's got a very small appetite or his knowledge of breakfast cereals is up there with his knowledge of cornish pasties and the common man.

He took it from the advert some years ago featuring Ian Botham, so I suggest his knowledge of breakfast cereals and Shredded Wheat in particular, is not something you can criticise.

 

[AlbionPics&SouthCoastTwit]

Shredded Wheat is at minimum a brilliant source of fiber. The breakfast of many a well trained coach driver.

 

[Notters]

He took it from the advert some years ago featuring Ian Botham, so I suggest his knowledge of breakfast cereals and Shredded Wheat in particular, is not something you can criticise.

Yes, this has been pointed out to me several times now But it was way before my time, so I use that as an excuse.