What should the government do now?

It is difficult to know if the interim government will feel it can do things. Constitutionally of course it can, as it is still formed from the same Conservative majority from the General election of 2019. It still has the same Prime Minister who won that election. Yet some around the table may think they should mark time pending a new decision about direction to be made in the forthcoming leadership election. What is clearly true is there will not  be the same uniformity of view and collective responsibility as usual, as several in the Cabinet will be campaigning to be Leader and will wish to differentiate their  views from the current line.

I would urge them to be liberated generally. They should try to get agreement to necessary courses of action that cannot easily wait until October and the formation of new government. Here are some of priorities they should press on with or adopt:

  1. Intensify the campaign to get more people into work all the time there are so many jobs on offer, as there are still too many people on benefits who could improve their finances by taking work.
  2. Put in place all that is necessary to cut the government overhead under the plans identified but not yet implemented fully by Jacob Rees Mogg.
  3. Press on rapidly with the Northern Ireland protocol Bill. We need to be free to set our own VAT rates for the whole UK as soon as possible, and to restore GB/NI trade.
  4. Produce a better package to tackle the cost of living crisis. Suspend VAT on domestic fuel, and halve VAT on petrol and diesel immediately. Remove the National Insurance rise. Lift the threat of higher business taxes next year, to show the world the UK is open for business and welcomes more investment.
  5. Strengthen legislation to take full control of our borders.
  6. Amend the Levelling Up Bill to allow local communities to set the amount of new housing in their local plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

189 Comments

  1. peter
    July 8, 2022

    Agree with all of these – unfortunately number 3 is far too risky for all the candidates and will stay on the back burner for too long.

    1. Denis Cooper
      July 8, 2022

      For the present the Bill is still going ahead as scheduled:

      https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2022-07-07/doubts-over-future-progress-of-plan-to-rip-up-ni-brexit-deal

      “Commons Leader Mark Spencer confirmed that three days of committee stage for the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill will begin on July 13.”

      While the EU is still making it necessary that the UK legislates for unilateral action:

      https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/eu-says-johnson-exit-wont-change-its-stance-on-northern-ireland-impasse-1331445.html

      “EU says Johnson exit won’t change its stance on Northern Ireland impasse”

    2. Peter
      July 8, 2022

      Brexit needs to be fully delivered not ignored. Conservative manifesto pledges need to be honoured. Net zero should be abandoned.

      Whether any of this happens is anybody’s guess. However, same old same old will mean a huge defeat at the next election.

      My hunch is that there is no likely leadership candidate that will deliver any of this. I still believe the Conservative Party should go the way of The Whigs. It’s just another centrist, Blairite outfit which has been best for careerist politicians looking out for number one.

      1. Peter
        July 8, 2022

        Meanwhile Boris Johnson should be put on gardening leave for the remainder of his term. There should be no option for croneyism and his resignation should be water tight, which I read requires an audience with the Queen.

        Labour will make political capital from Johnson as an interim prime minister. Even so they have a very strong case for making this point.

        1. Butties
          July 9, 2022

          Agree, Get Exit Done.

      2. turboterrier
        July 8, 2022

        Peter
        Great first paragraph, absolutely correct.

    3. Nottingham Lad Himself
      July 8, 2022

      As Alan Partridge would have said, long after he was kicked out as a TV personality “Aha…”

  2. Mark B
    July 8, 2022

    Good morning.

    In fact. Dump that lot no one wants it, especially the so called ‘Leveling up’ crap – Socialism on stilts. Just kick the serial liar out of Number 10 and get on with it before he does anymore damage ala, Theresa May MP.

    Put an interim leader in who is not one on the wannabe’s. This should help speed things up.

    PS As I said yesterday. This time, please try and choose someone whose ability matches or exceeds their ambition. You’ve had three goes at this to try and get this right.

    We are not Italy !

    1. Roy Grainger
      July 8, 2022

      There is no precedent at all for putting in an interim PM and that isn’t in the gift of the Conservative party at all – they can remove Boris as leader of the party but not as PM.

      1. Denis Cooper
        July 8, 2022

        These days if you say something like that you are just inviting us to check up on the internet … wikipedia, even:

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Records_of_prime_ministers_of_the_United_Kingdom

        “In November 1834, the Duke of Wellington declined to become Prime Minister in favour of Sir Robert Peel but formed a ‘caretaker’ administration for 25 days … while Peel returned from Europe.”

        Dominic Raab is still the Deputy Prime Minister, it only needs Boris Johnson to go and let him take over.

        1. Fleur
          July 12, 2022

          Yes, indeed. Let Dominic Raab step in during the interim. Is it that Boris won’t let go or thinks DR is not capable?

    2. MWB
      July 8, 2022

      Levelling up must be carried out, and there must be an end to London sucking in more and more for itself.
      What’s wrong with Italy ? All I know is that I’m ashamed to admit that I’m from Britain.

    3. glen cullen
      July 8, 2022

      Agree – please don’t vote in another wannabe ‘president’, vote for a good old fashioned ‘prime-minister’

  3. Fedupsoutherner
    July 8, 2022

    Some great ideas here John but good luck with number one and three. The do gooders (those that should be in another party) won’t like either option.

    1. GaryC
      July 8, 2022

      Sadly you could add #5 to that.

    2. Lifelogic
      July 8, 2022

      Scrap HS2, scrap net zero, scrap the new red tape for landlords, a bonfire of red tape, undo the vast and idiotic Sunak tax grab, stop wasting money on what seems for most to be to be ineffective and even dangerous net harm vaccines, reform the dire NHS so it can actually work by charging all who can pay something, control the borders, make sure it is always worth working even after the costs of getting to work etc, kill subsidies and market rigging in energy, get fracking, mining and drilling….

      1. Lifelogic
        July 8, 2022

        They also need to fire about 60% of what are described by yesterday Boris as “peerless” civil servants. Alas most or incompetent, not working in the interest of voters, are “working” from home, delivering little of value, often are totally misdirected, many even doing serious net harm.

        The likely alternatives to Boris look even worse than Boris to me, but at least the deluded green crap lefty Carrie the source of so many of Boris’s problems will be gone. I see that the appalling John ERM Major even wants to stop Tory Party members from even having the tiny bit of say they get in the next leader. This so they can ram an EUenthusiast down the members throats and undo Brexit. They can already rig it even with the existing system.

        Sunak the current favourite has proved to be an appalling, tax, borrow, over regulated and piss down the drain Chancellor who has delivered high inflation, vast debt, the highest taxes for 70 years, vast manifesto ratting and very poor and declining public services too.

        1. Fleur
          July 12, 2022

          I hope Sunak is not elected as our next PM.
          My choices are not running: Lord David Frost, Steve Baker, Jacob Rees Mogg, John Redwood…

    3. Christine
      July 8, 2022

      If the cabinet ministers have more freedom to shine then maybe one of them will rise up to take on the role of PM. It’s very important that you choose a PM that the British people trust. This must be someone who puts the British people first, who believes in Brexit and has intelligence plus leadership qualities.

      For all our sakes get it right.

  4. Donna
    July 8, 2022

    Start rolling back the Net Zero lunacy by cancelling the proposed bans on new gas central heating systems and petrol driven vehicles.

    Re-opening the Rough Gas Storage Facility; increasing our gas, oil and coal production. And start fracking.

    1. Lifelogic
      July 8, 2022

      Indeed.

    2. Sea_Warrior
      July 8, 2022

      I’ve taken to watching the politically-incorrect Alan Jones on Youtube – primarily to keep in touch with politics in Australia. This morning he reports that polling shows that a majority of Australians now want ‘Net Zero’ either abandoned or paused. I wonder what polling here shows?

    3. MFD
      July 8, 2022

      That is a fairly complete list Donna. All essential essential for the survival of our country. I did not approve of Britain committing suicide for a totally unproven theory of loony tuned!

    4. Mickey Taking
      July 8, 2022

      yep ..

    5. Pauline Baxter
      July 8, 2022

      Donna. I totally agree. Weren’t they almost the first of Johnson’s lunacies?

  5. Julian Flood
    July 8, 2022

    The decision is on Sizewell C is essentially a choice between either an unnavigable route to Net Zero via trashing the UK economy for twenty years by enduring blackouts caused by the unreliability of renewable energy, or emergency use of fossil fuels in quick and easy CCGT power stations while giving RR maximum support to build a fleet of SMRs. The second may actually get to Net Zero on a reasonable timescale: committing to the faulty technology of the fullscale European Pressurised Reactors will not.

    In Surrey the Green Luddites are protesting the drilling of investigative gas wells on the grounds that this will disrupt the nearby AONB. The huge workforce for Sizewell C and the quarries for materials will not only disrupt, they will destroy the Suffolk AONB.

    It would be a foolhardy Minister who would make this disastrous decision in the present situation. An ambitious one would usefully consider that delay is the politic option.

    JF

  6. DOM
    July 8, 2022

    None of these issues would have been resolved with Johnson remaining as PM anyway. The fact that the British people are facing an ‘interregnum’ as it were, simply makes it all infinitely more difficult now the forces of Remain and the entire Socialist bloc have the wind in their sails. This bloc will seek to whip up hate against a weakened Tory party.

    As most on here would argue, if the new leader is pro-EU and a destructive woke despot then I don’t see anyway back for a party that has for far too long sold short the UK because it knows loyalists have no one else to vote for. The Tory party have become a living deceit and they know it. I just wish they’d have the courage to say so and be done with it

    If a Labour coalition achieve power they will implement policies that will destroy the very nature of freedom from the State. Centralisation of currency and UBI which will mean the complete State control over daily life. Hayek warned of this decades ago. They’ll target all and any news output that doesn’t conform ie GB News, Spiked etc etc.

    We need a PM who is brutal in dealing with the left that have driven a coach and horses through our institutions and our civil world. The fact that the Tories have been in power since 2010 makes this fact even more unpalatable to digest

  7. Bloke
    July 8, 2022

    I support all of the points in this article. Typically, SJR’s plans and proposals are well-thought through and aimed at the highest quality outcome for the UK.

  8. David Peddy
    July 8, 2022

    Agree with this . I hope that they will not simply sit on their hands?If there is ,in fact ,any danger of that ,then we should have an interim leader who is prepared to ‘get on with things’ as there is an urgent need , especially with the economy , to change direction

  9. Sea_Warrior
    July 8, 2022

    Yes – a period of inaction can’t be justified. The next general election is coming like a ground-rush and Johnson has wasted too much time already. There’s a need for legislation and executive action that can deliver results before election day.
    The candidates? Suella Braverman’s run won’t go anywhere. She’s a nice lady, and sound on many policy areas, but lacks both charisma and political achievement. Tom Tugenhadt? He does good work on committee and with the China Research Group but he is the product of a euro-education. I’ll see Major’s desire to exclude those awful party members from the process as being motivated to help the likes of Tom. Penny Mordaunt? Too leftwards-leaning on social policy. Someone who should stand? Steve Barclay. The front-runner? Ben Wallace.
    P.S. I rejoined the Conservatives yesterday. It would be interesting to see if CCHQ dealt with more joiners than resigners yesterday.

    1. Fleur
      July 12, 2022

      I prefer Ben Wallace to stay in situ, doing what he is good at… Defence. Fortunately he is doing just that.

  10. Nigl
    July 8, 2022

    I read in the paper the Tory ‘heavy weights’ are jockeying for position. If if there was an oxymoron!

    1. Mickey Taking
      July 8, 2022

      love it ..!

    2. turboterrier
      July 8, 2022

      Nig1
      The real heavy weights are not even mentioned having been banished to the back benches for years.
      The new generation are not even flyweight I’m comparison, that’s how bad our pitiful system has become.

  11. Denis Cooper
    July 8, 2022

    Leaving Boris Johnson in Downing Street is as foolish as allowing Mark Anthony to address the people.

    1. a-tracy
      July 8, 2022

      Denis, what do you think he is going to do to change anything in the next 8 weeks?

      1. John Hatfield
        July 8, 2022

        Depends what his globalist controllers tell him.

        1. a-tracy
          July 8, 2022

          John, I don‘t agree if the globalists was under their control there is no way he would have been got rid of.

          Truss is saying she can bring in the Indian trade deal, they want a change quick to put an end to all of this talk and deals before it is too late to suck us into a brino. We are going to end up paying in with no benefits for the people just benefits for the top classes and it stinks.

          As for we‘re worse off because of Brexit take a true look at Germany and the current state of the others, then take off the contributions we‘ve been making for the last six years and reduce that figure from the end of this year.

    2. Mickey Taking
      July 8, 2022

      Carrie will have the gold wallpaper steamed off and put in the moving van.

  12. Mike Wilson
    July 8, 2022

    I assume many of the regular posters on here are Tory Party members. Who do you want as PM now?

    1. Roy Grainger
      July 8, 2022

      Lord Frost. Surprised he’s not able to stand, there’s nothing that says the PM needs to be in the Commons rather than the Lords. He could then in due course get a seat in the Commons via a by-election – I think Alec Douglas-Home did this (may have got that wrong) ? 1922 committee should change the rules to allow it, as we’ve seen they’ve shown they are prepared to change their rules at a moment’s notice.

      1. X-Tory
        July 8, 2022

        Oh for heaven’s sake, will people stop going on about Lord Frost. We live in the 21st century, not the 19th. It is IMPOSSIBLE for him to be Tory leader from the HoL, and there is no time for him to renounce his peerage, find and win a suitable by-election, and then stand. It is quite absurd. Anyone who mentions him as a possible candidate just reveals their complete lack of any political understanding whatsoever. Besides, he wasn’t even a particularly good Brexit minister – after all, he negotiated the NI Protocol, as well as the TCA which gives away our fishing stocks and obliges us to pay billions to the EU, as well as remain members of the ECtHR. FORGET ABOUT FROST!

      2. Pauline Baxter
        July 8, 2022

        Roy Grainger.
        I’ve been saying that about Lord Frost ever since he resigned as Brexit Minister.
        I know nothing against him as Leader AND P.M.
        And I’m sure Constitutionally there is nothing to prevent it.

        1. hefner
          July 8, 2022

          Which bit of the ‘constitution’ says that there is nothing to prevent Lord Frost from being a candidate?
          I’m always amazed at people referring to the UK constitution to justify their point of view.

          1. Peter2
            July 8, 2022

            Pauline didn’t say there was anything to prevent it.
            Try reading posts before you make yourself look silly hef.

    2. Sea_Warrior
      July 8, 2022

      Of those likely to run, Ben Wallace – but Steve Barclay might be a good long-odds bet.

      1. Julian Flood
        July 8, 2022

        Sea Warrior, he’s an engineer so he must have a grasp of the approaching energy crisis and the lunacy of Net Zero. Even so I’m surprised to see you supporting a crab!

        They

      2. John Hatfield
        July 8, 2022

        Suella Braverman wants to escape the ECHR which we need to do to control immigration. She would get my vote.

        1. glen cullen
          July 8, 2022

          But every Tory MP said that at the 2019 general election

      3. glen cullen
        July 8, 2022

        But Ben Wallace is a remainer

    3. Lifelogic
      July 8, 2022

      I am not a member far too many pro EU socialist or LibDims tory MPs for me to ever join. The likely alternatives look fairly dire to me but perhaps they can still beat off the appalling prospect of a Starmer/Sturgeon/Libdim/Plaid/Green coalition.

      Depressingly Sunak is perhaps the best of rather appalling choice. A shame he was a manifesto ratting, inflation causing, tax, borrow and piss down the drain Chancellor. Perhaps he can overcome this by appointing someone sensible (a JR rational type) as Chancellor. We certainly need a real Brexiteer anyone who ever supported remain and the destruction of UK democracy is total unsuitable

    4. Mary Lowrey
      July 8, 2022

      SJR

    5. Mickey Taking
      July 8, 2022

      that is the problem –Tory Party members seem to be living in the past, now way out of touch with the electorate.

    6. a-tracy
      July 8, 2022

      MW – no I’m not a member, I read many posters here who aren’t members or even Tory supporters. The Independent and Guardian are pushing Tugendhat and Hunt which should tell you all you need to know about those two. Oh, and they hate Suella Braverman.

      1. hefner
        July 8, 2022

        What have been Suella’s accomplishments? Did she ever take the lead on anything? Please provide information on her successes as Under Secretary for Exiting the EU or as Attorney General.

        1. Peter2
          July 8, 2022

          Maybe give us your view hef
          Instead of demanding information from others nearly every time you post.
          You will soon have your pal bill posting.

        2. a-tracy
          July 9, 2022

          I don‘t know her hefner, she hadn‘t made her mark on me until the left wing media started to attack her this week so perhaps I should have taken more notice of her. I‘ve made a note to read up a bit more about her. Perhaps you should if you want to know more.

  13. Mike Wilson
    July 8, 2022

    Hmmm. Nothing about immigration in that list. Surely ‘Build more hotels’ should be on the list. We can’t have the government taking all the rooms.

    1. Philip P.
      July 8, 2022

      Nor is there anything about the war in Ukraine. There should be. It needs to be made clear to Zelensky that we will no longer throw good money after bad, so he has to settle. Continuing a war he can’t win does no-one any good, just allowing Russia to extend its sphere of influence over Ukraine. I’m afraid that is all that ÂŁ3bn worth of expenditure on this hopeless cause has bought us in 5 months. It would be no shame for an incoming government to admit the reality of the situation, whereas it would be catastrophic for the country to continue with Johnson’s failed escalation policy.

    2. beresford
      July 8, 2022

      You are supposed to think that is included in ‘strengthen our borders’. This is a typical policy which involves an appearance of action whilst not actually doing anything to reduce immigration, both legal and illegal. Our political elite don’t see immigration as a serious problem as they are largely unaffected (for now), or even benefit; the ‘problem’ is ordinary people who are dissatisfied, and the ‘solution’ is to fob them off.

    3. MFD
      July 8, 2022

      Agreed Mike, I suggest we fence of a very large area on Lark Barrow , Exmoor , there is water there! Give them timber and nails and let them make their own accommodation as what we provided was good enough for our service people but not for those invading us.
      Release can be arranged when they agree to return home

    4. Mickey Taking
      July 8, 2022

      not build – buy up failing ones in less than favourable locations.

      1. glen cullen
        July 8, 2022

        That would be against their ‘human rights’ to place them in less favourable locations

    5. forthurst
      July 8, 2022

      No 5 refers to illegal immigration but the main problem is legal immigration which effectively means importing the Indian sub-continent – that needs to end. The deliberate failure to train our own medical staff by refusing training places to qualified English applicants needs to be reversed.
      My hope would be that the Tories appoint someone who is not alien, not barking and not dim – but have they got anybody?

  14. Wanderer
    July 8, 2022

    Press on with 1-5, but in 3 months will any progress be made with when they’ve already had nearly 3 years to do this?

    As for Point 3 (Northern Ireland/EU), I suspect the clean break it looked like we were about to make on this issue was a catalyst to the government meltdown. I think the globalists pulled strings.

    1. a-tracy
      July 8, 2022

      Point 3 is what Boris probably had to promise in order to stay on to have his wedding party at the end of the month, no more action on N Ireland.

    2. SecretPeople
      July 8, 2022

      I think that too.

    3. DavidJ
      July 8, 2022

      Indeed as they have been pulling BoJo’s strings ever since he became PM.

      1. hefner
        July 8, 2022

        Isn’t it wonderful seeing you all referring to globalist conspiracies when it is more likely that on average the UK political class is simply dismal.

        1. a-tracy
          July 9, 2022

          Hefner, what would you do to stop the illegal crossings, would you just give everyone that wants one a ferry ticket and house?

          I didn‘t refer to any global conspiracies? Our political class wanted to remain in the EU cosied up selling us down the river.

          1. hefner
            July 9, 2022

            Indeed the crossings are a problem. What I don’t understand are people who put all problems as the results of various globalist conspiracies. That’s lazy thinking. You are not among those people. Others certainly are.

  15. No Longer Anonymous
    July 8, 2022

    Start by getting rid of SAGE type advisers who now make a sunny day something to be feared. “Level 2 Health Warning.” Really !!!

    Less government. Fewer officials and politicians. You really ARE the problem.

    Churchill said:

    We must beware of trying to build a society in which nobody counts for anything except a politician or an official, a society where enterprise gains no reward and thrift no privileges.

    That is exactly where we are at after 13 years of Tory rule.

    1. turboterrier
      July 8, 2022

      N L A
      Churchill said
      Further proof that there is nothing new if you want ideas go back through history.
      It has a habit of repeating itself time and time again

      1. hefner
        July 9, 2022

        History repeating itself first as tragedy second as farce
        Karl Marx about Napoleon and Napoleon III.

    2. Mickey Taking
      July 8, 2022

      abandon SAGE period.

      1. BOF
        July 8, 2022

        SAGE, another oxymoron.

  16. BOF
    July 8, 2022

    Agree with all of that SJR, but leveling up? Hmm!

    And see that energy security is an immediate priority. Coal, oil and gas, including from fracking. Failure to do this will not help electoral chances.

    1. miami.mode
      July 8, 2022

      Joy of joys BOF. The government has requested that Drax power station extend its coal burning facility by 6 months to Spring of next year. That should solve the energy problem!

  17. Ian Wragg
    July 8, 2022

    Of course none of these will be done. There will be plots and counter plots and as for strengthening our borders, no chance. Far too many limp dumb in the non Conservative party.
    The swamp needs draining and a general election within the year.

    1. acorn
      July 8, 2022

      “General election is not in the national interest”, JR told you yesterday; or particularly not in the interests of Conservative MPs with small majorities.

      History tells us that all first past the post elections (FPTP), eventually degenerate into a binary contests, just like the US. To get to this norm in the UK, it would need a Conservative party (call them Republicans for example) versus a Labour plus Lib Dem plus Green coalition (call them Democrats for example). This would align the UK to the classic FPTP Binary contest model.

      According to Electoral Calculus’s thinking, this would result at an early next election with 481 UK Democrats seats and 101 UK Republican seats. The sum total being greater than the sum of the parts in the former’s case.

      Fortunately for the UK Republicans, the opposition parties are dead set against any form of coalition; dumb or what?

      1. a-tracy
        July 8, 2022

        acorn, what is the difference between the Lib Dems and the Greens I’m not really sure why they are two parties unless it is so they can be all things to all people in different constituencies. I thought these two agreed on a pact to leave winnable seats to each other in a carve-up.

        As for your high hopes for a 3 leftie party domination you seem to forget other parties on the right would appear. Do you lefties really want a resurgence of Farage types.

      2. Peter2
        July 8, 2022

        Assuming everyone votes the same way before you changed the rules.

  18. Cuibono
    July 8, 2022

    The Govt. ( such as it is) should pull us out of every global pact with immediate effect.
    Surely there is far more to the Johnson story than meets the eye?

    1. Sea_Warrior
      July 8, 2022

      The agreement I most want to see ditched is the one limiting cuts to corporation tax. Pushed by Biden and eagerly embraced by Johnson. No true Conservative would have given away sovereignty that easily.

      1. Cuibono
        July 8, 2022

        +1

  19. Shirley M
    July 8, 2022

    Just taking control of our borders would save a great deal of money. It isn’t just the hotel bills, it is the add on benefits where they seem to jump all the queues, ie. housing, doctors & dentists where legal citizens already struggle, and the cost of the staff required to process 100’s of applications per day and do background checks (I do hope there are background checks, but I doubt it), legal aid alone must be a huge cost and we literally pay both sides of the legal arguments with zero benefit to the UK, etc.

    1. a-tracy
      July 8, 2022

      I wonder how many households in the UK that we are told are in absolute poverty there are, immigration is distorting our equality gap, if people and whole families then arrive with nothing what does anyone expect – are we expected to not only give them our precious social housing supply, especially in the big Cities but also give us all our wealth that generations of our families and slogged hard for.

      If some families always work, inc. Mum and all the siblings then why shouldn’t their family be better off than generational families who choose not to work or do the bare minimum and make babies with no men on the scene not just once but several times.

      We can’t process UK passports on time so what hope is there that our immigration department is processing a 10th of those applications on a daily basis.

    2. Lifelogic
      July 8, 2022

      +1

    3. Diane
      July 8, 2022

      The hotel costs of ÂŁ5 million a day a mere drop in the ocean. This figure comes up all the time in the media so we are led to believe that’s what the main costs are. Tend to forget about the multi millions / billions in long term contracts to the various managing & servicing companies, the new facilities which are being brought into use, the security and servicing staff, translators, taxis, coaches constantly travelling the length & breadth of the country, all that as just a starting point. However, another ÂŁ50 million soon to be winging its way to France which France believes could break people-smugglers’ business model. This will it seems be similar to the ÂŁ54 million deal of last July. That said, praise due to the recent NCA / International operation’s success in nailing a number of individuals & equipment from this network of parasites, but how large a drop in the ocean that is is anyone’s guess.

      1. a-tracy
        July 8, 2022

        Diane the fees to lawyers, barristers, all legal aid, judges, courts etc.

  20. Berkshire Alan
    July 8, 2022

    Cannot understand why Boris will still be in place when there is already an official deputy Prime Minister in situ, otherwise what is the point of having such a position.
    Whilst the contest for the next leader needs to be done quickly (to avoid drift) it must follow all the required protocols, and not be delayed by Parliament recesses.
    The Government should already have policies in place or in planning, which should have been based on manifesto pledges made, so continue with them.
    The biggest problem you have is that all of the new people will have to get up to speed rapidly, and will there be co-operation from the Civil service for the new people, when they themselves may only be in position on a short term temporary basis, given a new Prime Minister will probably reshuffle once again !
    What a mess !

  21. Sharon
    July 8, 2022

    Sound advise JR!

    As Mark B suggests, put in an interim leader who is not a wannabe! Urgent and swift action is vital for the survival of both the country and the Conservative party.

    1. Sea_Warrior
      July 8, 2022

      Then Raab’s the man.

  22. David Martin
    July 8, 2022

    The Government must prioritise simplifying the UK tax system. Respondents to a pre-budget poll of businesses by accountancy and advisory firm BDO LLP in March 2020 said this must be done, even if it meant some rise in taxes. Headline rates don’t tell the whole story – if companies had more widespread relief for such things as capital expenditure or interest payments the aggregate corporation tax collected by the Government could be less than at present, even if the headline rate were increased. But importantly a much simplified and more transparent tax system would greatly encourage existing business, new business and overseas investors. The “cognoscenti” would soon catch on, and word would rapidly spread. Business could spend more time pursuing its core function of earning a profit and less time wrestling with tax regulations and managing tax risks.

  23. Michelle
    July 8, 2022

    No.5 will not happen all the while the government is run by those who want more and more immigration and that seems to be the majority of the Conservatives.
    Immigration has consistently risen under this party and has now reached numbers off the scale. All done with intent.
    The party and those in it take the word ‘control’ to mean something completely different to the public.
    You could start by removing us from Migration Pacts, but hell will freeze over first.

    An all out war on BBC and its outrageous bias, lying by omission and anti-white stance.
    Stop the attacks on our culture (what’s left of it after the war conducted on it since the 60’s) our history/heritage/ancestry.
    Remove politics from our education system. Remove sex education from primary schools and allow our children to be children.
    Stop the persecution of people just because they hold a different point of view to the bullying left wing who seem to be steering policy all round on the social level.
    Invest HERE.

    Of course none of this will happen even after Johnson has gone, in fact we are likely to see it get worse.

  24. wes
    July 8, 2022

    well put sir John, All your points are valid and necessary. The people of this country have lost faith in politicians and no longer believe their lies. The only reason for actions to be delayed or dropped is unwillingness to do what the government should. They were voted in to do what they promised so get on with it. My money is on reform.

    1. Bill B.
      July 8, 2022

      Agreed, Wes. Only a big rise in support for Reform UK will send the Tories the message of what they need to do. Otherwise they’ll stagger on as an Libdem/Green party in blue clothes.

      1. Shirley M
        July 8, 2022

        +1 I’ve been saying for a long while that seats in the Commons are nice, but not essential. UKIP (and Farage) got the support of the voters and forced the biggest democratic political change in our history. We need another ‘UKIP moment’ to put the sabotaging remainers out to pasture, permanently. I don’t know why any political party can tolerate MP’s who do not respect democracy. Campaigning to rejoin is fine. Not accepting the electorates choice and trying to sabotage the implementation of Brexit (and also damaging the country) is treason, in my book.

  25. Brian Tomkinson
    July 8, 2022

    What makes you think that this useless cabinet will do any of those things when it has failed to take such action prior to this shambles? I should be more concerned at what damage they might do under this disgraced Prime Minister. Our democracy is being dismantled and you have to question if MPs care or if they are all signed up to the notion of a world government and doing their bit to facilitate it.

  26. Richard1
    July 8, 2022

    There is of course no chance of anything remotely controversial getting through. We can forget Jacob Rees-moggs bill for the moment, and depending on who takes over perhaps for good. We can forget the NI bill and I assume the Rwanda policy. The tax cuts are a good idea, but if they aren’t accompanied by the semblance of a grip on spending they will be likely to lead to a sterling crisis.

    I suggest Conservative MPs come up with a system which doesn’t take until October to choose a new leader.

  27. Narrow Shoulders
    July 8, 2022

    RE Number 4 – I am disappointed that you are advocating more government intervention. It may just have been the bullet point but we should not be looking for our government to control every lever.

    Inflation will drop out of the numbers once the one offs have been through the cycle. We need public sector salary increases to stay low so that the private sector can compete and ride the price spikes out.

    The only actions government should be taking is reducing taxes and making energy production in this country as cheap as possible by removing VAT and removing much of the restriction imposed by climate change act.

    Remember government that does least does best.

    1. hefner
      July 9, 2022

      My weekly shopping was ÂŁ50 in 2021. Right now it has gone to ÂŁ60, a 20% increase.
      You say ‘inflation will drop out of the numbers once the one offs have been through the cycle’.
      So what will it become? staying at ÂŁ60 once the inflation has supposedly gone back to zero, or going back to ÂŁ50, something that would require a deflation (-16.6%).

      I am afraid your view is for the birds as 1/ the prices will never go down by as much as they have recently gone up, 2/ the dreaded public sector is very unlikely to get salary increases compensating for the present inflation, and 3/ the private sector will be keen on increasing prices to restore its profits.
      At the end of the period, whether it lasts one, two or three years, we are all likely to be poorer.

      1. Peter2
        July 10, 2022

        Earn more.
        It’s not that difficult.

        1. Stu Peed
          July 11, 2022

          !

  28. Cuibono
    July 8, 2022

    Is there a nasty move in train to stop party members having a vote on the leadership?
    Someone wants another anti-Brexit, pro Globalist saboteur as PM?

    1. John Hatfield
      July 8, 2022

      That’s what Hezeltine wants. Has he still any power?

    2. mancunius
      July 8, 2022

      But they can easily do that by offering two globalists (one overtly, one covertly so) as the final selection for the party member vote. Any pro-Brexiter will be either voted down or ‘induced’ not to run.

  29. agricola
    July 8, 2022

    Get on with despatch in choosing a new PM. Make sure he/she is 100% behind Brexit and the concept of the UK as a wholly sovereign state. Remember that Belgium once managed to progress minus a government, I submit that the UK has far too much of it anyway. Having lived in Spanish Eu for the last fifteen years it is all too clear what a shambles the UK is in many respects, principally because you too readily allow the tail, and a stub at best, to wag the dog.

  30. formula57
    July 8, 2022

    No, we await October. Why should we not? All those listed matters have been neglected or mismanaged hitherto. We have a wounded prime minister whose flaws have caused his colleagues to force him out for being unfit for office, but we can wait months for no good reason, of course we can.

    (It would be nice of the Chancellor to act to mitigate the Sunak Slump though.)

  31. Bill brown
    July 8, 2022

    Sir JR

    This is an interim government a care taker government with no real authority or elected mandate
    Trying to implement what you are proposing under such circumstances is not possible and actually rather naive

    1. a-tracy
      July 8, 2022

      Bill they do have an elected mandate, Boris and Sunak didn’t put it through, he should now with his new chancellor.

      1. hefner
        July 8, 2022

        The MPs in Parliament have a mandate, Boris despite his bluster only had the one from the electors of his constituency and one given by the support of his MPs. This week’s events show that the latter one appears to have melt like snow in the sun.
        Do not expect much before a new PM is chosen.

        1. Peter2
          July 8, 2022

          The Conservatives still have a majority in Parliament.
          I realise you and bill are getting very excited but an election is two years away.

      2. bill brown
        July 8, 2022

        rubbish they will have to wait with anew mandate and I think we need an election

        1. Peter2
          July 8, 2022

          I realise that is what you want to happen bill.
          But as usual you are in a minority.

          1. hefner
            July 9, 2022

            P2, did I say anything different? ‘The MPs is Parliament have a mandate’, there is still a Conservative majority. The only thing I pointed out what this past week PM Johnson lost the trust of his MPs.
            Did you actually read what I had posted?

          2. Peter2
            July 10, 2022

            I do unless they are longer posts as I tend to fall asleep.

        2. a-tracy
          July 9, 2022

          Bill rubbish – the people that elected Boris and his Tories on an 80 seat majority gave this Country a mandate, we do not need a new mandate at all, we are told that Boris had to go because he lies not because of his mandate.

          Hefner – I know plenty of people who did not even know the name of their MP at the election in 2019 and couldn‘t name them now, but they chose Boris and his manifesto. Yes your team seems to have won for now freezing Rees Mogg and Truss. I have they have the guts to get on with it over the next six weeks. If anyone doesn‘t have a mandate it is people like you.

    2. Shirley M
      July 8, 2022

      It didn’t stop the opposition (with no real authority or elected mandate) in the rogue Parliament of 2017-2019 from pushing through damaging legislation, did it? What’s good for the goose …..

      The CONS should push ahead with the manifesto pledges as soon as possible, with or without Boris.

      1. hefner
        July 8, 2022

        SM, How many times should you be told you talk rubbish? The Parliament of 2017-2019 was a proper Parliament only rogue in the view of those who did not like what was decided at the time (and usually made angry by too much reading of the right-wing papers funnily all owned by foreign or non-dom owners: talk of proud Brits).

        1. Peter2
          July 8, 2022

          Those right wing papers…
          Hilarious cliche from you yet again heffy.

        2. a-tracy
          July 9, 2022

          I don‘t read a right wing paper hefner I read the Guardian and the FT. You only don‘t believe Boris‘ 2019 parliament was rogue because you didn‘t like his manifesto promises that he was given a huge majority to put through.

          1. hefner
            July 9, 2022

            a-tracy, I was answering Shirley’s ‘rogue Parliament of 2017-2019’, i.e, before the 12/12/2019 GE, so before PM Johnson’s huge majority.

          2. hefner
            July 9, 2022

            I wrote ‘SM’ not ‘a-t’.

            There are some, well one in particular, on this blog who cannot accept that one could say that some newspapers are right-wing but keep refusing anything potentially coming from the Guardian, the Independent or even the FT as left-wing.

          3. Peter2
            July 10, 2022

            I just think you people on the left say you are not ever influenced by reading the left wing papers and TV channels yet anyone on the right is easily influenced.
            Seems an unlikely argument to me.
            Mind the left do have a very high opinion of themselves.

  32. Dave Andrews
    July 8, 2022

    Reduction in business taxes would be very welcome. Reverse the corporation tax increase and eliminate employer’s NI. Corporation tax isn’t paid by multinationals who avoid it with creative accounting, so it’s not fair on the small UK business.
    Take corporation tax right down and transfer it to dividend taxes, with no exemption for money sent abroad. We get a raw deal from all those international tax treaties.
    Give a 10 year corporation tax exemption for every UK citizen starting a new business, allowing them to grow. Same with business rates. Make UK investment attractive and stop clamouring for foreign investment all the time. The people of this country will make it prosperous; foreign companies are only interested in their own prosperity.

    1. bill brown
      July 8, 2022

      we still have a lot of work to do internally our productivity is still far too low as a highly developed country

      1. a-tracy
        July 9, 2022

        Bill, productivity is low in what industry sector, which large companies, or is it the public sector you have knowledge of? Who exactly is unproductive and what is the measure – what work needs doing precisely please? I‘ve been in business for over 30 years and have never been told what the precise productivity measure is. The annual reports to the government don‘t say how many hours per week my workers work only their gross pay. The measures are guesstimates and random samples. Productivity problems in this country are caused a lot by delays on the road, ten hours to fix a problem now, instead of a hard shoulder they now slow down all four lanes if someone breaks down. You can‘t get anything back fast from government agencies. People working from home we are told are a lot more productive – where are the measures they‘ve used for that and why is everything from probate to passports taking Soooo long if people are more productive?

  33. margaret
    July 8, 2022

    What about Income tax?

    1. margaret
      July 8, 2022

      I will vote for the first to lower income tax and alter levels to a fairer gradation. I will vote for the first who ensure that all employers mandatory give a pension .

      1. a-tracy
        July 9, 2022

        Margaret, what are you talking about all employers have to give employees a mandatory pension now, if you‘re talking about all people getting a public sector pension that will never happen because it‘s unaffordable and that little bomb will got bang soon enough. Some private companies that used to offer this style pension are now collapsed hog tied by the pension fund and don‘t really exist.

        1. Margaretbj.
          July 10, 2022

          Mmm love to see it .Usually a mandate has a legal imperative which if broken can be taken to task.

    2. margaret
      July 8, 2022

      Just heard that no new policies will be put in place until a new leader is elected. There isn’t any need for Boris to stay another day then. Tax issues need to be addressed and not in sporadic ways but a fundamental change to enable people to cope with the cost of living . Of course we heard a bluff and then a convenient step aside and blame from all against one another . But that bluff has been called .

  34. Fedupsoutherner
    July 8, 2022

    Can I suggest the government take a look at your diaries John? Apart from all the fantastic policy ideas you come up with there are many great ideas every day from L/L, Mark, X Tory etc. Sometimes it’s those that are living this nightmare that have the best solutions.

  35. Old Albion
    July 8, 2022

    Sir JR. Are you contemplating standing for PM. Or if not perhaps Chancellor?

  36. Freeborn John
    July 8, 2022

    The Northern Ireland bill needs to be advanced before the summer recess. The Lords will delay it anyway so what is important is that their ability to delay is extended further by inactivity in the Commons. We have to get Stormont back up and running as quickly as possible.

  37. turboterrier
    July 8, 2022

    The first thing must be the line in the sand moment.
    To make this work you need a fully committed team dedicated to getting g Brexit done and dusted to stop all the sniping and fifth column tactics.
    Boris fell basically on a lack of honesty and the Tory members have now got to fully get behind the new PM and get it done or resign or become an independent. This charade has gone on for far too long. The new generation haven’t cracked it so let’s get the experienced, qualified, respected and honourable safe pairs of hands in to steady the ship.

  38. turboterrier
    July 8, 2022

    To be perceived and seen to be addressing government waste at every level.

  39. Javelin
    July 8, 2022

    I think Steve Baker is my choice.

    I would not let the back stabbers back into the Cabinet. They will soon slither off to other better paid jobs else where.

    1. Ex-Tory
      July 8, 2022

      It has to be Steve Baker. We need a fresh vision, and not someone associated with the May or Johnson governments.

    2. Bill brown
      July 8, 2022

      That would be a foreign policy disaster

    3. Fedupsoutherner
      July 8, 2022

      I second Steve Baker.

      1. hefner
        July 9, 2022

        Interesting to note that Steve Baker has said he will not be candidate and will back Suella Braverman 


  40. Christine
    July 8, 2022

    You need to:
    1. Get more people into full time work rather than over rewarding them for only working 16 hours per week.
    2. Locate more jobs near where people live. Under the Power House of the North policy we saw thousands of jobs move from our northern towns to the northern cities. This stops the majority of working mother’s applying for them.
    3. Stop the war on cars. Again many mother’s who want to work aren’t able to use public transport if they have to access schools and childcare before and after work. The time, stress and expense just isn’t worth it.
    4. With the levelling up, ask locals what they want. Boris pledged to reopen our local railway line that virtually nobody wanted or needed, yet we were crying out for help to reopen our airport. People wanted local well paid jobs but you took thousands of them away for some reason I can’t fathom other than lining the pockets of city centre property owners.

    Rather than listening to the Westminster bubble speak to real British people then deliver, don’t just promise.

  41. Roy Grainger
    July 8, 2022

    I imagine that having manoeuvred himself into position Zahawi will be keen to raise his profile and bolster support for himself so he may take immediate action to do something sensible like cutting fuel duty and cancelling the planned corporation tax rise. It would be interesting to see if any of the leadership candidates objected to this.

  42. John Miller
    July 8, 2022

    Leaving Johnson in charge is crazy!

    Scrap Net Zero by saying the priority is to establish a route that ensures people can warm their houses before we try that. Net Zero will only become Greta’s “emergency” when the first OAP dies of heat stroke in December in Northumbria…

    1. Martyn G
      July 8, 2022

      My wicked thoughts on Net Zero:
      * Each adult exhales circa 800 pounds (lbs) of CO2 per annum.
      * There are 2240lbs in a long (Imperial) Ton.
      * Therefore (2240/800) means that 2.8 people exhale annually 1 Ton of CO2.
      * Assume UK population is 76 million and 76,000000/2.8 indicates the whole population
      exhales 27,142,857 million tons of CO2 per annum.
      UK Net Zero is therefore impossible without first eliminating the the UK population and need for food, energy, transportation etc. Hmm, maybe this concept should be extended to include the whole world population?

  43. a-tracy
    July 8, 2022

    The people still on benefits right now, especially in Birmingham West don’t want to leave the benefits nest for full-time employment. Check how many of them actually attend interviews not just tick interested in a job. Then check how they performed in the interview and what the potential employer feels they need to improve to enable them to secure employment.

    Too long on benefits with the house paid for by housing benefit and a little side job ebay, boot sale, making cakes, cash in hand work and some people don’t have the skills to earn as much anyway.

  44. Mike Stallard
    July 8, 2022

    Boris goes. Now what?
    What I want to see:

    Conservative/Labour Central Offices to respect and listen to local political parties and clubs. They are right out of touch with normal British people. No 10 is right out touch with everyone. An ivory tower. That needs rapid change. Deeds, not words please.
    The Civil Service, and lots of other bureaucracies should be cut right back so professionals (doctors, teachers, nurses and police) are not hampered by interference in their trusted vocations. No, they do not know where the shoe pinches although they behave as though they think they do.
    Brexit should be cemented so that our prosperity grows as world wide trade flourishes
    Immigration restricted. I have family in Australia. I am not allowed to live there. So why should people not have the same restrictions here? The boat people should be sent back to France. There is a revolution going on at the moment and it needs dealing with.
    Inflation brought under firm control with a decent plan with reasonable targets and times.
    Heavy industry – steel, coal mining, fracking, oil wells, nuclear energy all encouraged urgently and an end to the green lobbies which are so damaging (pipe line to Putin anyone? Pleased about airport chaos? Or £2.00 a litre? Greens are.)

  45. a-tracy
    July 8, 2022

    Parliament is like school and university it closes from 21 July to 5th September, 6 weeks. So what is the problem if they just continue to follow what the manifesto promised us. In fact, that is all they have to do, give us what we voted for no more but no less.

  46. Ex-Tory
    July 8, 2022

    Given the government we have had recently, I’m fairly relaxed about it being “difficult to know if the interim government will feel it can do things”.

  47. The PrangWizard
    July 8, 2022

    I don’t know if Boris under the new arrangement is restricted in any way, I presume not. If, before, members of his cabinet held him back on such as tax reductions, and getting us fully out of the EU and control by it, now is his chance to act if that is what he wished because I guess obstructionists are gone. If he does nothing then clearly he didn’t want to do any of that.

  48. Mark J
    July 8, 2022

    Granted that Covid hit, despite this the Government has had two and a half years to deal with the issues at hand. It has had up to an 80 seat majority that it has done next to nothing with.

    All people want is to get Brexit fully done, stop this madness of tens of thousands of illegal economic migrants rocking up on our shores, bypassing legal methods. Plus encouraging wage growth and a reduction in the cost of living. Public services that are efficient and actually work properly.

    As for getting people back to work. How do you intend to do that? The Government continues to make a life on benefits more lucrative than go out to work. Something that still hasn’t changed after all these years.

  49. Bryan Harris
    July 8, 2022

    The items listed would be a good start – But what Boris – or the new Boris, needs to do to make up for all the issues caused/made worse by HMG, and maybe get back a little respect, is:

    – get tough with the EU, even if it means reverting to a no-deal style deal;

    – stop all the woke nonsense both inside and outside parliament – NO MORE INDOCTRINATION;

    – get a grip on the civil service and make it work for us, without bias;

    – send illegal immigrants back to France, Nairobi, or anywhere but the UK;

    – appoint John Redwood as economics expert/advisor to the Cabinet, reduce taxes and get the country moving;

    – admit that climate change was made up by the same people pushing for a new world order;

    – have a real bonfire of quangos and government waste;

    – make MPs / civil servants fully responsible where they are seen to be wasting resources through bias or incompetence;

    – reform or withdraw from global organisations that do not work for our benefit, like WEF and the UN;

    – get a system – a real one, that puts ethics in on high profile individual and politicians;

    – reduce the Lords by kicking out those that have not contributed to the well being of the UK, through bias or some other skuldugerry;

    – reform entry into HoL’s, so that only hard work is rewarded.

  50. Mark J
    July 8, 2022

    One additional point.

    If the leadership contest tries to push a Remainer MP to the forefront and attempts to bypass the votes of the Conservative membership. Then expect the following to happen:

    1) A huge betrayal of the public and your members.
    2) The loss of the red wall voters. Many will not vote for a party led by a Remainer MP. They simple won’t trust them in not trying to reverse Brexit – in full, or in part.
    3) A guaranteed loss of the 2024 General Election.

    Whether politicians care to admit it, or not. There is still a very Brexit Vs Remain battle out there. Many people still base their vote on this issue.

    1. a-tracy
      July 9, 2022

      Mark J – the remainer message is [we are all leavers now], [the manner of leaving wasn‘t an actual thing] but it was because we had another vote in the European elections and the Brexit part won that hands down then we had Boris 2019 manifesto promise, but now [Boris‘ leave isn‘t the right one, we‘re going to deliver a better one] more in line with Eu thinking keep paying in.

  51. Richard1
    July 8, 2022

    Thank Goodness all our taxes are spent on such useful services. today the OBR has come up with a forecast that govt debt could reach 320% of GDP in about 50 years’ time!! Panic!!! so it says the new PM can’t possibly afford tax cuts.

    For a small fee (lets say 1% of the cost of the OBR) I would be happy to run some simulations of the economy on my computer. I bet I’ve run at least as many financial projections as anyone at the OBR. I will be able to show results under which debt / GDP reaches any of 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 0% of GDP by say 2200. (in small font in a note at the bottom, so as not to be noticed by journalists: depending on assumptions as to global events, policies adopted and estimated impact of those policies).

    1. Richard1
      July 8, 2022

      i meant 2100

  52. Richard F
    July 8, 2022

    Agree with all of that John. Though I’d be very surprised if any off it happens as everyone’s head will be elsewhere when it shouldn’t be.

  53. Stred
    July 8, 2022

    Sack the Climate Change Committee. Their plans didn’t add up with costs hugely underestimated.

    March Johnson out now before he makes any more mistakes and even tries to call an election.

    1. glen cullen
      July 8, 2022

      Send them on a slow boat to China

  54. paul
    July 8, 2022

    Rip up the Brexit deal and declare no deal, hire a cruise ship for the boat people and leave it in international waters, cut taxes and tell the USA to go F itself.

  55. graham1946
    July 8, 2022

    If this ‘government’ is only going to sit by warming the chairs for 3 months, they should not be paid ministerial salaries. Neither should they be entitled to ‘severance pay’ at the end. It is reported that one person, a minister for less than 48 hours is getting ÂŁ17,000 severance pay. She says she will donate it to charity. Not the point – it should not be paid at all from the public purse which is in dire straits. No doubt her 48 hour tenure will also count for an enhanced pension as well. Why should any of them get severance pay when they are still MP’s on stonking salaries, expenses and pensions? The answer of course is that they control their own emoluments, under cover of a separate panel to try to give it some legitimacy. It stinks.

    1. a-tracy
      July 9, 2022

      Graham, surely they should have to do a certain period of work before becoming eligible for severance even if it is only one month, most workers don‘t get severance (notice) within a month.

  56. DavidJ
    July 8, 2022

    7. Get rid of Johnson now before he does any more damage.

  57. Denis Cooper
    July 8, 2022

    Alarm bells ring when I see the names of some of those who support Tom Tugendhat to replace Boris Johnson.

    I think it is worth reading the comments by rose on this thread back in January:

    https://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2022/01/30/the-eerily-quiet-collapse-of-the-uk-car-industry/

    1. hefner
      July 8, 2022

      Yes, a bit like in Germany after 1933 when denouncing people with foreign links became a public sport.
      I’m surprised you appear to support rose’s comments.

      1. Denis Cooper
        July 9, 2022

        I only said that it is worth reading them.

        If I had a vote I would start with Suella Braverman and it is also worth reading what wikipedia says about her:

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suella_Braverman

  58. Iain gill
    July 8, 2022

    Dom Cummings tweets and blog are correct about the mess we are in, well worth a read.

  59. KB
    July 8, 2022

    Absolutely nothing will be done. It is Conservative party infighting that will take all their efforts from now on, except for the fact they will all be going on holiday abroad for the next two months. So they’ve dumped the PM and left us to it. What a shower.

  60. Kenneth
    July 8, 2022

    The pattern set by the last administration was to publicize many apsirations for media consumption and then allow the civil service to run the country whilst ignoring those aspirations.

    I suspect that things won’t change. Those with ambitions will publicize their ideas but I doubt if any will be implemented.

    The main camps are those who want us back in the eu (or something like it) and those who want us to be independant. Since the civil service is running things now and we know they want eu alignment, I see big trouble ahead.

  61. X-Tory
    July 8, 2022

    Sir John, two things are clear:
    1. Boris no longer has the authority to force ministers to do things they don’t want to do; and
    2. There is no longer collective cabinet responsibility.

    HOWEVER, there is NO reason whatsoever that policies which are agreed by both the PM and the SoS responsible should not be implemented. So, for instance, VAT on fuel could be dropped, or orders for RR SMRs placed, or carbon taxes eliminated, And legislation already introduced needs to be pushed forward, with Remainer or Left-wing MPs opposing this (such as the Bill of Rights or the NI Protocol Bill) having the whip withdrawn, so they cannot participate in the vote for leader, or stand as a Tory MP again, polluting the party with their treasonous anti-British politics.

  62. Ex-Tory
    July 8, 2022

    7 Abolish the red tape created over the last few years, so that businesses can get the economy out of this mess.

  63. Pauline Baxter
    July 8, 2022

    Yes, of course Sir John, the government should continue.
    And yes, the policies you have enumerated are all correct.
    What is the position of the Deputy Prime Minister? (A relatively new phenomenon.)
    Johnson still hasn’t given up being Prime Minister has he? Just leadership of the party.
    So, does the Cabinet still meet?

    I am tempted to suggest Bojo and Carrie should be turfed out of No.10 and join the homeless!

  64. Rhoddas
    July 8, 2022

    In summary:
    Deliver on the 2019 Manifesto.
    Deliver on the benefits of Brexit.
    It’s what we voted for, the 80 seat majority.

  65. Lindsay McDougall
    July 8, 2022

    Re implementing your 6 points:

    1 Ensure that nobody working full time on the minimum wage pays any income tax or NI. Simultaneously, reduce the benefit cap from ÂŁ20,000 (ÂŁ23,000 in London) to ÂŁ18,000 (ÂŁ21,000 in London).
    2. Measure 1 will reduce the number of people having to submit an income tax return. Reform VAT so that there is the same rate (approx 10%) on all goods and services. Stop trying to force people to commute and reduce the amount of commercial property rented. Stop silly payments like the Xmas bonus. Scrap the OBR. Regulate less. All of these will reduce Civil Service manpower.
    3. Agreed but keep VAT rates simple and uniform.
    4. It isn’t a cost of living crisis, it’s a value of money crisis. Stop any new QE and keep raising base rate by 0.25% every couple of months. Any VAT reductions must be temporary. Reduce business rates for high street premises but introduce business rates on warehousing and distribution centres.
    5. No permanent immigration for the next 10 years; one year residence permits, renewable yearly. No taxpayer funded legal representation for would be immigrants. Anyone arriving without documents to go to Rwanda or an internment camp on a Hebridean Island. Decisions on immigration to be determined by the Home Secretary.
    6. Agreed, together with measures to ensure zero population growth.

  66. John McDonald
    July 8, 2022

    We could save some money by not continuing WW3 in Ukraine which was BORIS’s only real achievement. Perhaps even help to save a few lives on both sides. Ukrainian, Ethnic Russian Ukrainians, and Russians.
    The truth is coming to light that every thing was based on a lie from Covid to NI protocol.
    Just showmanship. This would have worked if there was competent people behind him Boris.
    I admire your persistence Sir John as it appears nobody in government takes note /action on, any of your advice. Perhaps you should take the opportunity now to return to a Government role ?

    Reply I have not been offered a government role

  67. Denis Cooper
    July 8, 2022

    Here’s something the government should do right now – respond to this German MEP:

    https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/talking-europe/20220708-the-problem-is-brexit-not-the-northern-ireland-protocol-says-mep-david-mcallister

    “‘The problem is Brexit, not the Northern Ireland Protocol’, says MEP David McAllister”

    “we shouldn’t question the protocol in general, the protocol cannot be renegotiated.”

    Something to thoroughly explore with each of the candidates for the Tory leadership.

  68. hefner
    July 8, 2022

    We heard yesterday the soon departing PM telling us he will be running the Government till a new leader is elected and will not introduce new laws during that time.
    How comes that the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, presently the Secretary of State for DCMS was calling today for abortion time limit to be reduced, something hardly within scope of her present brief, even considering her previous Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety brief?
    Or is she one of those anti-abortion ‘Pro-Life’ people screaming at people trying to get what is a legal abortion, but who will not, as her American counterparts, move a little finger to help when an unwanted pregnancy usually diagnosed with major problem to the foetus at 20 weeks is forced to go to term.

    What a blatant show of hypocrisy.

    1. Peter2
      July 8, 2022

      Has the PM said he agrees with this single MPs views hef?
      Another of your fantasy posts.

    2. mancunius
      July 8, 2022

      Abortion is reserved as a matter of conscience, and MPs have the legal parliamentary right to vote and comment on it as individuals, i.e. to express their own personal views. Membership of the government is irrelevant.
      Many of those who comment on this blog also have strong and widely differing views about the matter. But abortion is irrelevant to the subject Sir John has raised here and now.

      1. Peter2
        July 8, 2022

        Irrelevant posts are hef’s speciality.

        1. hefner
          July 10, 2022

          See who’s talking, hilarious.

          1. Peter2
            July 10, 2022

            Your post on the topic of abortion was a classic off topic post.
            But not just totally off topic but badly argued too.
            Quoting a single MP and then trying to expand that view to claiming the PM will suddenly agree and create new legislation.
            Ridiculous indeed.

          2. hefner
            July 11, 2022

            P2, I indeed quoted a single MP. Now could you please indicate where I was ‘trying to expand that view to claiming the PM will agree and agree new legislation’. Thanks in advance for a detailed and properly argued answer.

          3. Peter2
            July 11, 2022

            You post was desperately trying to insinuate that PM Boris Johnson could use his last few weeks as PM to listen to MPs demanding legislation on pet topics.
            You know what you were trying to do hef
            And as mancunious showed, your argument was a complete nonsense.

  69. mancunius
    July 8, 2022

    One suggestion – as the last leadership election took far too long (exactly two months from May’s resignation announcement) please please curtail this one so that a result is available a week before Parliament returns on 5 September.
    Then cancel all the party conferences. Waste of time and oxygen – we don’t pay MPs salaries for you all to go off and play party politics, you can have three half days on Zoom for that during HoC legislative business, or do it in the lengthy Summer or Christmas breaks. It’s as unacceptable as having civil servants or train drivers spending their working time on union business.
    It is already suspicious that the government fell apart three days after the second reading of the NIP Bill. I will not vote for any candidate who shows the slightest softness on pursuing the NIP Bill with vigour, or the slightest underplaying of the importance of restoring the Act of Union, or any ambiguous sign of pro-EU sympathies.

  70. Will in Hampshire
    July 8, 2022

    Why does VAT in NI need to be the same as in GB particularly?
    I don’t see why this is a particularly existential issue for anyone. NI population is about 1.9million, about one thirtieth of the population of Great Britain. I really can’t see that any economic distortions caused by a difference in VAT rates is going to be visible in trade or tax figures, NI is just too small.
    The government should just set VAT rates for GB specifically.

  71. […] What should the government do now? […]

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