Next Prime Minister

[Lucy Waterman]

I guess when I think of centrist commentators I think of People like Rawnsley, Rifkind, Rafael Behr, Helen Lewis etc. None of whom I can imagine backing Boris in any circs.

[Nefertiti2]

When it comes to deciding to back Johnson or the Labour Party I’m afraid that all of those you’ve listed will.
Apart from anything else Johnson’s one of them. He’s got away with it for so long because journalists have treated him as a fellow journalist, not a politician.

They still do.

[Snake Plissken]

Alan Sugar there, who has been bashing Corbyn on anti-semitism and then supports a candidate being advised by Steve Bannon.

[Lucy Waterman]

Wow. I mean I can see them all urging a vote for the Lib Dem’s, but of course they wont back Johnson.

[Lang Spoon]

Rifkind voted SLab in the last two Westminster elections I think.

[Antepli Ejderha]

They started in 2016

I stand corrected. Theresa May introduced the policy, no surprise there.

[Toby Gymshorts]

Hancock has pulled out early.

If only Stanley Johnson had.

[Ray de Galles]

I can see the centrists, still claiming Johnson as a liberal and desperate to keep Corbyn out of government, backing him and ignoring everything that’s gone before.

if he can win them back and hold on to the right with some dog whistle racism I think he has a chance

When it comes to deciding to back Johnson or the Labour Party I’m afraid that all of those you’ve listed will.
Apart from anything else Johnson’s one of them. He’s got away with it for so long because journalists have treated him as a fellow journalist, not a politician.

They still do.

Let me get this straight, you're saying ;

a) Hugo Rifkind, Helen Lewis and Rafael Behr are going to back Boris Johnson in a general election?

b) they will do this to keep Corbyn out of government?

c) because Johnson's a fellow journalist?

[Nefertiti2]

Yup pretty much. They will back the establishment over the left Alternative. Shall we have a little bet?

[Nefertiti2]

They will agonise beforehand, of course

[Ray de Galles]

Yup pretty much. They will back the establishment over the left Alternative. Shall we have a little bet?

Sure, If we're betting that those three people will explicitly recommend/endorse voting for a Boris Johnson led Tory party in the next General Election.

[Nefertiti2]

No I doubt it will be called the Tory or Conservative Party. It will be call something like "United" or "Together

[Lang Spoon]

What?

[Lang Spoon]

Johnson is going to lead a new Big Tent party after Brexit implodes the Tories? Is that your thesis?

[Lang Spoon]

I've no time for Rifkind or Behr but I doubt they're ever likely to vote Team Boris. Can't be so sure of Cowley or Lewis but.

[Lang Spoon]

I would have a sneaky half bet on Martin Kettle being a closet Tory but.

[Nefertiti2]

When the choice is "backing our ally in the coming war for freedom" with Johnson or "standing up for the Islamic republic of Iran" with Corbyn they'll fall into line.

[ad hoc]

I reckon Nef's right. Johnson is affable and he'll make good copy and when push comes to shove it will be "well. words like piccaninny are just what people from his background use, and the lying? Well, who doesn;t lie from time to time? At least we know what to expect from a right wing Tory government run by old Etonians. Better the devil you know"

[George C.]

[Guy Profumo]

When the choice is "backing our ally in the coming war for freedom" with Johnson or "standing up for the Islamic republic of Iran" with Corbyn they'll fall into line.

And Gerry Francis.

Don't forget Gerry Francis.


(Sorry, Adams.

Francis Adams.)

[Lucy Waterman]

Corbyn’s going to take us to war on the side of the Iranians? While Boris Johnson leads a brand new fascist party backed by Polly Toynbee? This is a very detailed dystopia. Very Years & Years.

[Nefertiti2]

No Corbyn's arguing against kneejerk military response after the Gulf incident (just like, say, the EU and Japan) is already being depicted as lack of loyalty. The BBC has already fallen into line.

https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Hunt/status/1139790476956053504

https://twitter.com/DominicRaab/status/1139803107062362112

[URL]https://twitter.com/sajidjavid/status/1139824031085948928?s=21[/URL]

I didn't mention Polly Toynbee.

[Nefertiti2]

It's not so much "Years and Years." More a remake of the Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell show.

[Lucy Waterman]

Is she not a centrist commentator?

[Lucy Waterman]

Ahhh. You’re pretending they’d endorse Boris Johnson in order to have a pop at people who supported the Iraq War. Fair enough.