In a much-contested debate throughout a partisan media, has been the question of whom will replace Boris Johnson. For the Labour Party this has been on infinite repeat since he replaced Teresa May and then won a landslide victory. Notwithstanding, in what can only be described as an act of mass belief perseverance, opposition parties have refused to accept five Conservative election wins.
Despite a number of controversial situations perpetually fuelled by these adversarial media outlets, the public for the most part have remained steadfast. Detaching from the EU, was never going to be amicable or acceptable and the faithful were never going to be less than destructive. But Boris would come through with a work in progress and in the Pandemic, decisions were taken, the country survived. Then despite the monotonous hindsight and moronic draconianism of opposition, we took a breath and left the economic death spiral of ineffective lockdowns. Because of the Pandemic and subsequent borrowing, the election promise of levelling up has been slowed but not stalled.
The failure of successive governments not just in the UK, has led to a loss of confidence in politics; and a paradox of mavericks as publicly acceptable leaders. The Pandemic has lost us two years, which ultimately may change Boris’ plan of not wanting to stay around for a full two terms. Further, to hinder opposition plans for clinching the prize, has been the Prime Minister’s response to Putin’s War in Ukraine, which has resonated positively. Opposition and anti-Boris voters will be praying that the great reversal is Nye; and as in the previous four elections it the nation’s collective opinion and will that decide the next Party in office.
So, who are candidates for the next prime minister, well there are the usual suspects:
Keir Starmer – Consistently supported by Labour opinion, a good man and will make a much better Prime Minister. As an opposition party it is their responsibility to keep the Cabinet in check, through enforcing accountability; and offering better solutions or alternatives to Government plans and changes. However, since the 2010 election, Labour have offered little or no ideas, but consistently complained about any government proposal. Most importantly they have done nothing to sway the voting intentions of swing voters. In truth, Starmer has been completely ineffective overall against Boris, wasn’t the same said about Jeremy Corbyn.
Rishi Sunak – The young Chancellor had built a good reputation through the pandemic, but has lost favour with his solution to the utility and fuel crisis. But it does not stop there, he is being judged for his recent US green card status. Further, opposition parties have been attacking his wife’s non domicile status. Perhaps with better solutions, Rishi may be able to recover his polling favourability but that window of opportunity is quickly closing.
Angela Rayner – Despite the belief on the far left, that making inflammatory statements rouses support of your voter base, this behaviour is not ministerial. Angela Rayner lacks any sense of decorum that would constitute an acceptable Prime Minister; and will need to grow a great deal before becoming a plausible candidate. By contrast and example, why did MPs choose to elect someone with Keir Starmer’s more polished personality and attitude.
Priti Patel – Unfortunately, Priti has been tainted as Home Secretary over the migrant situation. As much as there is a level of truth to this, every Home Secretary as far back as Jack straw has suffered the same fate. Unlike previous Ministers, no one has gone further to try and fix this matter. But how do you stop a collective of EU nations that ignore their own immigration policy; and simply point in the direction of England, then French authorities ignoring gangsters profiteering from sending migrants over in fragile rubber dinghies.
Ed Davy – This candidate has too little trust or support from the public, with no more respect or credibility than his predecessor.
Dominic Raab – He damaged his credibility in the public eye during the US Afghan withdrawal and is not currently held with high esteem.
Penny Mordaunt – The Honorary Captain has been serving in office since 2014, but also has been serving as a Royal Navy reservist and was involved with training Ukrainian troops 2015. This is a Lady the public should be watching, as Penny will be in the race for Prime Minister when the time comes.
Michael Gove – Regarded as a hard worker, he has never instilled the strong favour of the voting public that would currently constitute a future leader.
Liz Truss – Though she has made two errors in relation to Russia, her track record as foreign secretary and chief negotiator has been a resounding success. This is an MP the public can see at the very least being leader of the Conservative party. Moreso, a serious contender for Prime Minister in the near future.
Lisa Nandy – In a revised late entry in response to Keir Starmer’s relentless crusade of Party gate, Lisa spoke out about cost of living. The Labour MP may be putting head above the parapet and be considered for Party Leader, where in the coming weeks change could be the only good for Labour.
Perhaps Jeremy Corbyn will be fully reinstated, there is still support for his leadership within factions of the Party; and even lead the Labour Party in the 2024 General Election. Unfortunately, the Independence referendum has highlighted that there are only two points of opinion, regardless of Party affiliation, Euro centric and Pro British. This is a political foundation that has existed for nearly 30 years or more and will remain for some years to come. Where for opposition parties Federation supersedes, the nation’s opinion, health and desire for self-determination.
However, what about the experienced Back Benchers and Mavericks in the world of politics:
John redwood – The MP for Wokingham is a name that is held with respect and one that has crossed the lips of many in recent years. He was a member of the Thatcher Government and voted against the Common market in the 1975 referendum. Sir John was also against integration with the EU, has consistently offered ideas for economic growth and alternatives to the high tax stance of the current treasury. There are calls for his expertise in Government as Chancellor, before any up and coming leadership contest.
Jacob Rees-Mogg – The MP for North East Somerset has been criticised by the opposition as living in another century, because of his manor, education and accent. However, he has displayed a great depth of British law and a pride of British history. Further, ran his own hedge fund company and is a man of private Christian virtue. Mr Rees-Mogg is grounded and cannot be discombobulated, it would be closer to say he was a potential leader of 19th century English gravity.
Michael Portillo – This is a learned man of great political historical depth and was a member of the Thatcher and Major Cabinet, but also Thatcherite Conservative. Though retired, Mr Portillo would be a strong leader of the Conservative Party and attract the attention of swing voters.
Nigel Farage – Tarred as a racist and the most hated Man in politics by the left wing, Nigel Farage gained his reputation for being the Architect of Brexit. Despite left wing agitators claiming that he jumped on the band wagon, he’d been against Maastricht since 1989 and campaigned for independence until 2019. One of the many reasons for EU scepticism over the 20 years to the Brexit vote was uncontrolled migration. Let alone zero public consultation or Referenda in the signing of Maastricht. In short in the ‘new culture’ to discuss immigration is analogous to racism. In a previous life, he was a commodities trader on the London Metal exchange. Currently, still deemed as toxic, has been one of the strongest politicians in the past 20 years, equally loved; and vilified is spoken by a great many not far right as the man who should have been leading the Conservative Party and rewarded as Prime Minister.
Kate Hoey – The Baroness was a cabinet member in Tony Blair’s Government and has had a strong career in politics; and where media outlet have talking about her as a Labour Leader. But with respect at aged 75 may now be too old to care about running for office.
In unprecedented times of global turbulence and economic crises, why are we not utilising the expertise and experience of past cabinet members, to navigate through these choppy waters to new horizons.
By Alfred Stephen Pryor © 2022
The Two Way Mirror 