Author: Patrick Maxwell

Boris Johnson’s government looks to be heading for a no-deal exit as relations with the EU have already started to sour. A phone call with Leo Varadkar had little effect, and any chances of getting a hard Brexit deal without the backstop seem to be dwindling to nothing. Johnson’s new no-deal chief Michael Gove is no looking over the preparations for something that neither side want and is like, as one business head said earlier, ‘driving into a wall at 100mph and preparing by fastening your seatbelt.’

Gerry does not think that this reckless strategy is going to get anyone anywhere…

Priti Patel has been announced as the new Home Secretary as Sajid Javid has promoted to the role of Chancellor, with Boris Johnson issuing a cull of Cabinet ministers.

The first is a dreadful appointment…

Boris Johnson has been asked to form a government by the Queen and presumably accepted, fulfilling his life-long ambition for the top job.

The Old Etonian list goes up to 20, Gerry says…

Theresa May is currently with the Queen having resigned as Prime Minister after over three years in the role. She had her final PMQs session earlier, and made a small speech in Downing Street before heading off to Buckingham Palace.

We will have no leader for a few moments, Gerry notices…

Boris Johnson is to become Prime Minister as Theresa May resigns after her last PMQs at midday. It has also been announced that the former director of Vote Leave Dominic Cummings is to be appointed  senior adviser, a move that will cause much distaste among MPs, with Cummings an iconoclastic Dostoevksy fan (one good thing) who is known to be someone who does not deal with MPs.

Gerry is both excited and fearful about the new power-brokers. Johnson in power cannot command a majority in the Commons…

 

Boris Johnson has been elected Conservative leader and PM  by 2 to 1 in a huge victory.

We are completely stuffed. Gerry is depleted and demoralised…

Gerry was very pleased to hear that Jo Swinson has been elected leader of the Liberal Democrats after a comfortable victory over Ed Davey, winning by 47,000 votes to 28,000.

It means that the party has an exciting future…