May v Leadsom, so a female PM

[Suff]

Yes and no. Theoretically you vote for the party and the leader of the party is PM, whoever that leader is at that time.

Major didn't, Brown didn't. Major won the next election, Brown lost it... Such is life.

We don't elect our PM's so to say that because the PM has changed, we have fundamentally lost OMOV, is not quite right. Whilst people may have balanced Miliband with Cameron, essentially their vote was for a MP, not a PM.

So, in essence, a change in leader changes nothing in the democracy.

Of course if the leader feels there is a chance to gain something from a snap election, that's another matter. Were I May, I would be very sorely tempted to call a snap election. Far more Labour voters voted against the wishes of the party than Tories, who were split very deeply. Also Labour is in total disarray right now. Me? I'd call an election for 4 weeks time. Let Labour destroy themselves in a fit of fear and take their votes.

Be careful what you wish for, a huge Tory majority led by May is not something I'd like right now. If we give a bit of time for Labour to get all the bloodletting out and back on balance again and they could put in a good showing. Right now they're going to get steamrollered. The only think I can see a snap election doing right now is letting a lot of UKIP MP's on the floor. Of course I would not mind that. You, on the other hand, would be a touch dismayed I think. Although you would enjoy the spectacle of them trying to renage on their promises I'm sure...

[Workingman]

People mostly vote for a party and its policies, and those come from the leader and front bench team; the person, the prospective MP, is quite a way down the list. It is a truism that X party could put up a monkey and it would get elected.

If in any doubt, look at the current Labour mess. It has some good MPs, but many of them are worried about their futures because of its leader, Corbyn, and the direction he and his team are heading. He, the leader, is changing Labour policies, May, the leader, will change Tory policies. The difference is that Corbyn was elected, May has not been.

I saw her acceptance speech. It was a one minute 35 second straight lift of the Soundbites 101 CD, not a hint of any substance. I do not trust her any more than I trusted Cameron.

[Kate1933]

I was disgusted that the American who has lived here with his English wife and children is facing deportation,
I am not sure of the outcome but I think he is still here. I cannot imagine that you will face such a problem Ria
You could go to Citizens Advice who would advise you and hopefully alleviate your worrying concerns..

[Suff]

I saw her acceptance speech. It was a one minute 35 second straight lift of the Soundbites 101 CD, not a hint of any substance. I do not trust her any more than I trusted Cameron.

I trust her less. But if there were an election today I'd vote for her party because voting for anyone else but UKIP would dilute the Brexit terms and the last thing we need today is to give the EU any more rope unless we intend to hang them with it.

[pederito1]

I have misgivings too but nevertheless I hope she does come out of her shell and turn into a "Maggie May". She will need to keep her handbag at full cock when dealing with the ghastly EU, Frau Murky and the Yanks.

[Workingman]

Her first cabinet will be interesting. There are quite a few undesirables to avoid, and more than a few relatively unknown possibles.

I think that she should be ruthless with the Eton Mess of Johnson, Osborne and a few others, as well as Fox and Gove. She should, however, offer olive branches to Leadsom, David Davis, IDS, Theresa Villiers and Priti Patel to even things up.

She has one chance, one chance only, to pick a cabinet to solve a difficult balancing act; heal the party and appeal to the country at large. Get it wrong and she is toast.

I predict that she will get it wrong.

[Suff]

Sadly we don't know the real tensions within the party. One seriously clear message would be bringing Clarke back into cabinet. I hope she doesn't do this but he was a capable chancellor who didn't let the markets control him and therefore reaped significant benefits. The BOE was constantly after him for months claiming we needed to raise rates. He declined, inflation did not rise until Blair took over and Brown allowed them to raise rates.

It's interesting that rates were, then, at 6%. Now they stand at 0.5% and Brown who set the Bank free presided over the largest upset in British Banking and finance in, well, forever, as far as the UK is concerned.

But, of course, Clarke is a committed EUphile and that would send a huge message.

I guess she's got to manage the cabinet between those who are supported by the Brexit campaign and those who are not. It's a ratio of around 2:1 but, given that Brexit is now going to happen no matter what, she could be forgiven for leaning with the Brexit team for ministers.

It's going to be a dogs breakfast no matter what and I expect a fast reshuffle post Brexit being completed. Remembering that she has nearly 4 more years and Brexit _can_ only take 2.

Next step is when she pulls the pin and the markets go crazy. So far the currency response is cautious and a steady rise against the Euro. That will depend on whether Carney steps in and boots the markets again on Thursday but I expect that May will have a very strong word about that. If Carney is not careful he could find his cherished central bank freedom short lived... After all if we're not aligning with the ECB and the Euro we don't have to follow their lead, we can do what is best for us.

[Workingman]

I have been reading articles from various outlets across the political spectrum and it is clear that they want more of the same old faces from 'failed man' Cameron's tenure, as do Sky and the BBC.

It is not surprising, really. Cameron was for Remaining, and so were those in the media. Anything that looks like a 'Berxit' cabinet, even if it is a 52% - 48% split, will have them crying in their Chardonnay.

In her acceptance speech May said that she wanted to reach out to the country, the whole country. Her first step on that road will be the selection of her new cabinet. Will she take it, or was it just a soundbite to mollify us plebs?

We'll see.

[Suff]

If she doesn't then her chances at the next election are significantly reduced.

I'd bet on a bit more than lip service from her. But I might lose....

[Aggers]

I have great hopes for May. I'm sure she has more common sense than that idiot Cameron has.

She certainly gives me a very good impression, and promises to be another Maggie.