May v Leadsom, so a female PM

[Workingman]

Of the five original contestants they were probably the best two.

May, who is a Remainer, should be my choice, but she is not. There is something about her that I am not sure of. I do not know what, exactly, but there is a niggle there.

Leadsom, who is a Leaver, should not be my choice, but she is. I have seen her in a few interviews and she more often than not answers the questions straight forwardly.

It is now up to Conservative members to decide. I wonder which way it will go?

[meriad]

it's very interesting (and extremely disturbing) days ahead Frank. I know I mentioned this at the meet, but I'm terrified how either of these candidates will affect me as a non UK passport holder...

What I don't get is why they have until 2nd September to vote on the new party leader - there are only two people in the running; why not vote now?

[TheOstrich]

The final decision isn't being made by the MPs, meriad, it's by the 150,000 odd Conservative Party members, so they are going to have to arrange a nationwide postal ballot.

That said, I'd have thought they could have got it done by mid-August, not September, but there you go.

I think I just about favour May as she can be said to be an experienced "safe pair of hands" and knows the EU.

That said, I just hope she will adequately fight our corner over Brexit, as that is the way we are now going.

[meriad]

That said, I just hope she will adequately fight our corner over Brexit, as that is the way we are now going.

That's another thing I don't get - the referendum isn't legally binding; and given that all who were involved with the in/out campaigns have resigned from their places what is there to stop Theresa May from (yes becoming potentially very unpopular with most - but not all - of the Brexit voters) and refuse to evoke Article 50... doesn't she have the power / right (if she is elected) to take this referendum result to the house of Lords or Commons and ask for a 2nd vote just with them?

[Workingman]

it's very interesting (and extremely disturbing) days ahead Frank. I know I mentioned this at the meet, but I'm terrified how either of these candidates will affect me as a non UK passport holder...

You did, and you have a PM.

As for the referendum. You are right, it is not legally binding and our status will not change until repeal of the European Communities Act of 1972. Cameron could well have accepted the result but refused to bring it into law. The problem now is that having accepted the result could an incoming PM go back on that acceptance.

It might well be the legal case, but how would it look politically and with the electorate? Would any PM want to take the risk?

[Suff]

Ria, Labour are passing a law which should protect you in this.

However I did a bit of digging and under the laws on German citizenship, whilst the UK is still a member of the EU, you may apply for UK citizenship if you have lived here for more than 5 years legally and still retain your German citizenship. It's almost certain that anyone with EU Dual nationality in the UK will be deemed to have had "permission" to do so and will retain that right after the UK leaves the EU. Any other action would cause havoc for tens of thousands of Germans and Germany is not noted for doing that to it's citizens when they legally entered a process.

That may give you an answer to your problem.

As for May? Talking to #1 son he can't stand her. As a Police officer he believes she has said one thing and done another which has damaged the Police service greatly.

May will almost certainly use EU citizens rights as a bargaining point in any future EU discussions. She'd be insane to do otherwise because you can guarantee the EU will do the same. Which tells you what I think of Labour.

We've been offered sponsorship for dual citizenship here in France and if things start going right off the rails we'll take that offer. Although I'll have to go on a crash course in French for at least 6 months to gain enough language and history skills to be accepted.

[cromwell]

Cameron could well have accepted the result but refused to bring it into law. The problem now is that having accepted the result could an incoming PM go back on that acceptance.

Yes, Cameron accepted the result and then resigned, going against what he said he was going to do.

I don't think we will ever leave. A new GE is scheduled for 2020; all the major parties are pro-EU and if any one of them wins that could be twisted to a vote to remain in the EU.

It has already been said that non UK citizens who are here legally will be allowed to stay here. The only reason May hasn't said it is that she would look silly confirming this, only for the EU to say, "Ta, now you can have all your retirees back, cos we're having their houses".

[Aggers]

If politicians start to manipulate things to over-ride the wishes of the majority of voters,
it will be a sad day for G.B. We might then even find ourselves on the verge of a civil war.

Perhaps the solution, to avoid any bloodshed, would be to kick out all who want to remain
in the E.U. I'm sure we might miss them, but could eventually manage very well without them.

[Workingman]

Perhaps the solution, to avoid any bloodshed, would be to kick out all who want to remain
in the E.U. I'm sure we might miss them, but could eventually manage very well without them.

May I volunteer for the Netherlands or Denmark. I like the countries and their peoples ... and the Brum meet would still be doable from Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

[Kaz]

Leadsom is a bit extreme in her views for my liking, and is pro fox hunting too :/

Ria I so hope you will be able to stay, I am worried for you (((((((((((((((((((x))))))))))))))))))))))