I can understand why some Lab/Lib people are cock-a-hoop about the only appealing Conservative leadership candidate going out today. But it’s the thought of the UK’s right-wing press going hell for leather to normalise & legitimise a very right-wing leader that makes me feel less than ecstatic.

Just learned some new English, not American. Instant follow

I have to say I was ambivalent about Cleverly's brief moment in the sunshine, on one hand he offered some sanity - a good thing in a potential PM, on the other - an 'electable' Tory leader isn't exactly something to wish for.

Yeah, Labour parties moving right hasn’t led to the medium or long term collapse of right wing parties - it’s lead to them going further right.

I remember Labour people feeling happy Thatcher was elected, thinking she was too extreme to be elected PM.

I’ve been saying this for over a decade now. Amazing how many people here want my allyship but if I ever even mention racism in the UK, I can’t even get a like or RT and that’s been true for years.

also, we now have about half a dozen examples showing that when a mainstream right wing party melts down due to losing votes to its extreme right, this does not always benefit the liberal or socialist incumbents. people telling me this just benefits Farage as if I am meant to be happy about that.

On the one hand, I wonder if this is likely to allow far-right voters to stop drifting towards Reform-UK. 🤔 However, I also think this opens up opportunities for the Liberal Democrats because the centre ground just got wider & they benefitted from that in the election.

It’s like seeing your Dad drunk at a party.. funny at first.. but slightly scary.

Also, democracies are much healthier when both major parties are legitimate contenders. Good luck over there!

The far right wing takeover of the party is almost complete. Just the final act of merging the Tories with Reform PLC and it will be done. The right wing rags, and the likes of GBeebies will push for them hard until they are back in government.