There are 90 comments.

1. Inactive
   BrentB67

   @BrentB67

   5:05 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   Claire, do you think this will expedite the transition or will PM Cameron remain in office until fall?

   I think it is better for all concerned that she take officer sooner rather than later and get on with negotiating Britain’s new status with the EU. What are your thoughts?

2. Inactive
   Mike LaRoche

   @MikeLaRoche

   5:22 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   I wonder if May can be trusted to actually go through with invoking Article 50.

3. Member
   Western Chauvinist

   @WesternChauvinist

   

   5:29 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

   It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

   The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

4. Inactive
   Umbra Fractus

   @UmbraFractus

   5:38 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   I hate that this matters, but it does: The Tories now have two female PM’s to their name to Labour’s nil.

5. Member
   Misthiocracy

   @Misthiocracy

   

   5:39 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   What’s the track-record, in the UK, for “mid-term appointment” Prime Ministers winning the next general election?

   Up here in the Great White North, it’s pretty abysmal. Those who get the top job via appointment after the resignation of a PM almost never win the general.

6. Inactive
   Columbo

   @Columbo

   5:46 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   While I liked Leadsome’s conservative record more, I am encouraged that Britain’s Left is very wary and concerned that Theresa May is ... no Progressive ...

7. Inactive
   Umbra Fractus

   @UmbraFractus

   5:47 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   Misthiocracy:What’s the track-record, in the UK, for “mid-term appointment” Prime Ministers winning the next general election?

   Up here in the Great White North, it’s pretty abysmal. Those who get the top job via appointment after the resignation of a PM almost never win the general.

   I don’t know about all time, but in my (admittedly brief) lifetime they’re 1:1 – John Major won; Gordon Brown lost.

8. Inactive
   Columbo

   @Columbo

   5:51 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   Here was Peggy Noonan with regard to Theresa May in her July 1, 2016 column …

   Contrast what Mr. Johnson wrote with the statement, days later, of Home Secretary Theresa May, who had been pro-Remain though relatively quietly, certainly relative to Mr. Johnson. “Brexit means Brexit,” she said. “The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum.”

   “Politics,” she added, “isn’t a game.”

   Thank you, madam, and well done.

9. Inactive
   Umbra Fractus

   @UmbraFractus

   5:52 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

   Columbo:Here was Peggy Noonan with regard to Theresa May in her July 1, 2016 column …

   Contrast what Mr. Johnson wrote with the statement, days later, of Home Secretary Theresa May, who had been pro-Remain though relatively quietly, certainly relative to Mr. Johnson. “Brexit means Brexit,” she said. “The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum.”

   “Politics,” she added, “isn’t a game.”

   Thank you, madam, and well done.

   So, a Remainiac who’s response is, “The people have spoken?”

   Part of me thinks that may be the best possible outcome.

10. Member
    Zafar

    @Zafar

    6:07 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Britain’s Merkel Moment.

11. Member
    Misthiocracy

    @Misthiocracy

    

    6:23 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Columbo:While I liked Leadsome’s conservative record more, I am encouraged that Britain’s Left is very wary and concerned that Theresa May is ... no Progressive ...

    It doesn’t matter how progressive a Tory is, the Left will always portray them as hopelessly right-wing. It’s a great tactic for pushing the Overton Window leftwards. If they successfully paint an arch-progressive Tory as right-wing, that mean the definition of The Centre gets pushed to the left.

12. Thatcher
    Percival

    @Percival

    

    6:23 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Claire Berlinski, Ed.: She’s unflashy, competent, and calm …

    Toss in “non-congenital liar” and it would work for me.

13. Member
    Misthiocracy

    @Misthiocracy

    

    6:25 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Claire Berlinski, Ed.: She’s unflashy, competent, and calm…

    They have a word for politicians like that. The word is ‘loser’.

14. Member
    Misthiocracy

    @Misthiocracy

    

    6:36 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Percival:

    Claire Berlinski, Ed.: She’s unflashy, competent, and calm …

    Toss in “non-congenital liar” and it would work for me.

    So, she’s a liar, but at least it’s non-congenital?

15. Contributor
    Titus Techera

    @TitusTechera

    6:37 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Misthiocracy:

    Claire Berlinski, Ed.: She’s unflashy, competent, and calm…

    They have a word for politicians like that. The word is ‘loser’.

    About your question: Mr. Major won in 1992; Mr. Brown lost in 2010. There are obviously no other examples in this generation; maybe none in the previous, either-

16. Member
    Hartmann von Aue

    @HartmannvonAue

    6:45 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    But on the other hand, since Leadsom collapsed in the face of criticism for saying it instead of standing her ground, she’s proved that her proper surname would be Leadsnone and that May is the better choice.

17. Thatcher
    Percival

    @Percival

    

    6:48 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Misthiocracy:

    Percival:

    Claire Berlinski, Ed.: She’s unflashy, competent, and calm …

    Toss in “non-congenital liar” and it would work for me.

    So, she’s a liar, but at least it’s non-congenital?

    I’ll take a fib here and there —  the occasional convenient stretcher — but don’t try to tell me that you made a $1000 bet on the futures market, walked off with $100K, and never tried again. Don’t tell lies a moderately intelligent ten year old can see through. It’s insulting.

18. Inactive
    Marion Evans

    @MarionEvans

    6:51 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

19. Contributor
    Titus Techera

    @TitusTechera

    6:54 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Marion Evans:

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

    Not the point. No one has to agree that mothers are superior PMs. I happen to think it’s a crazy way of thinking about politics, if funny. What’s at stake is: Should people be saying such things?, should they be allowed to, so far as public opinion is concerned?, how do we think about public discourse in a free country in relation to such statements?, &c….

20. Inactive
    Marion Evans

    @MarionEvans

    6:59 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Titus Techera:

    Marion Evans:

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

    Not the point. No one has to agree that mothers are superior PMs. I happen to think it’s a crazy way of thinking about politics, if funny. What’s at stake is: Should people be saying such things?, should they be allowed to, so far as public opinion is concerned?, how do we think about public discourse in a free country in relation to such statements?, &c….

    Sure they should be free to say whatever they want. But other people should also be free to criticize them for saying it.

21. Member
    Freesmith

    @

    6:59 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    “Put Britain first.”

    Isn’t that like “America First?”

    The problem with May’s approach is that it doesn’t take into sufficient account the opposition. She speaks as if she is making rules that will become and remain law “for a thousand years.” Her program is balanced, flexible and nuanced. It is common sense. It is moderate.

    But the Left will simply push, push and push until May’s government compromises and accommodates their endless demands. The Left wants something; Conservatives want to hold on to what they have.

    It is an uneven fight. Imagine a boxer in the ring against an aggressive, tireless opponent and that the boxer will not punch, he only blocks, slips and ducks his opponent’s blows.

    Who are you betting on?

22. Contributor
    Titus Techera

    @TitusTechera

    7:00 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Marion Evans:

    Titus Techera:

    Marion Evans:

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

    Not the point. No one has to agree that mothers are superior PMs. I happen to think it’s a crazy way of thinking about politics, if funny. What’s at stake is: Should people be saying such things?, should they be allowed to, so far as public opinion is concerned?, how do we think about public discourse in a free country in relation to such statements?, &c….

    Sure they should be free to say whatever they want. But other people should also be free to criticize them for saying it.

    Well, I take it on Ricochet we can still assume that free speech is the way for free people to associate. How about everything else, though!

23. Inactive
    Richard Fulmer

    @RichardFulmer

    7:03 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Titus Techera:

    Marion Evans:

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

    Not the point. No one has to agree that mothers are superior PMs. I happen to think it’s a crazy way of thinking about politics, if funny. What’s at stake is: Should people be saying such things?, should they be allowed to, so far as public opinion is concerned?, how do we think about public discourse in a free country in relation to such statements?, &c….

    A politician made a statement with which people disagreed.  Because of that disagreement, the politician chose not to run for a higher office.  Why is this a free speech issue?  Disagreement is not censorship.

24. Contributor
    Titus Techera

    @TitusTechera

    7:04 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Richard Fulmer:

    Titus Techera:

    Marion Evans:

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

    Not the point. No one has to agree that mothers are superior PMs. I happen to think it’s a crazy way of thinking about politics, if funny. What’s at stake is: Should people be saying such things?, should they be allowed to, so far as public opinion is concerned?, how do we think about public discourse in a free country in relation to such statements?, &c….

    A politician made a statement with which people disagreed. Because of that disagreement, the politician chose not to run for a higher office. Why is this a free speech issue? Disagreement is not censorship.

    See mine above: It is not a free speech issue.

25. Inactive
    Umbra Fractus

    @UmbraFractus

    7:07 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Richard Fulmer:

    A politician made a statement with which people disagreed. Because of that disagreement, the politician chose not to run for a higher office. Why is this a free speech issue? Disagreement is not censorship.

    She should have not run because she was naive enough to believe “off the record” means anything.

26. Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter

    @ToryWarWriter

    7:11 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    And this is why Caucus is not allowed to make decisions like this in Canada.

    Personally I feel the fix is in.  If I were a party organizer in the UK and watched this happen I would be torqued off.

    And I would be on the horn to every other riding President demanding another candidate to be allowed on the ballot in lieu of her, since its pretty obvious she never intended to stand and was basically a catspaw to May.

    I know there are major differences between Canada and the UK system.  But if any Canadian politician did something so raw, it could and has cost them the government.  Just ask Alberta when you pull moves like this.

27. Inactive
    Columbo

    @Columbo

    7:18 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    Marion Evans:

    Western Chauvinist:WARNING: I’m about to make social commentary.

    It’s revealing that a career politician’s future is ended by telling the obvious truth that having children gives one (literal) skin in the game.

    The West is over if the truth is unspeakable and the rule of law only applies to the little people.

    I would tread carefully here. What if I have one child and you have three? Now you have more skin in the game? The connection between having children and doing a better job has not been made by anyone. Do you have evidence?

    This is the absurdity of political correctness. Human beings misspeak. Ms. Leadsom was inartful with her point and also thought it was off the record anyways. It was an offhand remark and there was no malice or broad implication intended. Yet the analysis and dissection of this impromptu remark takes on a life of its own and gets exaggerated out of proportion by not only the “mainstream” media but our infernal social one. And a potential Prime Minister of the great country of England is shamed into dropping out over nothing. Sad.

    It is the same thing that has happened to the word “step”  and the heartfelt greeting of good cheer … Merry Christmas!

28. Member
    Valiuth

    @Valiuth

    7:24 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    So here is a good question. What happened to all those famous chaps who fought for leave? Why did Johnson and Gove leave? They don’t seem to have put up much of a fight?

29. Inactive
    Viator

    @Viator

    7:28 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    That top screen shot is Theresa May in 1995 not last year. Unless the fight over Brexit aged her dramatically.

30. Coolidge
    Al Sparks

    @AlSparks

    7:34 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 11, 2016

    BrentB67:Claire, do you think this will expedite the transition or will PM Cameron remain in office until fall?

    I think it is better for all concerned that she take officer sooner rather than later and get on with negotiating Britain’s new status with the EU. What are your thoughts?

    Technically, May isn’t the party leader until their party conference in October when they hold the vote, I would think.  But the British parliamentary system is flexible enough that Cameron could resign now, and the Queen could appoint Theresa May Prime Minister now.