Just as I was about to write that the clamour for Teresa May to resign seemed to have receded, this article pops up in The Guardian. At the beginning of the summer the atmosphere seemed to be taut, and the threat that everything would fall apart seemed to be very real. I think all political commentators and spectators were anticipating/dreading "an event" of some kind, which would lead to May's resignation and a fresh General Election.
Now that the new parliamentary session has started, it seems that the majority of the Tory party have fallen into line; they know that if they cause a fuss then that could lead to a Corbyn premiership. But there does seem to be some activity; the European Research Group are flexing their muscle, and some elements (either ironically or in earnest) seem to be agitating for Jacob Rees-Mogg for PM.
We are heading for conference season, which is a great opportunity for all the movers and shakers to get together and conspire against the current leadership, or maybe they might take the opportunity to unite behind Teresa May? but that would be dull, and since she is seen as a "lame duck", that would be like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Probably the leadership race will be triggered by something seemingly inconsequential, like for instance the current attempt to pack the committees with Tory majorities. Or the "Great Repeal Bill", which has now been renamed the European Union (withdrawal) Bill, may be a source of consternation among MPs, and if enough vote against it, that could lead to a vote of confidence in the current government - but that is unlikely. Still, some MPs will feel like they're stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, and they will have to hold their nose to vote for the Bill. At a later stage, resentment towards the govt. for putting them in this position may boil over into rebellion, we will have to wait and see.
I think it's still an interesting time to be a watcher of politics, and I look forward to catching up with the next showings of Question Time, Westminster Hour and Today in Parliament. I am sure there will be more developments soon...
TTFN.
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