Apparently Truss and Braverman then had a 90 minute shouting match which ended with Braverman sacked/resigned. That was the good news, Suella is not a very nice person. She is replaced by Shapps who has been plotting against her and was not deemed good enough for a police in Cabinet originally (along with the Chancellor – Hunt). I think the knees are wobbling.
Then the fracking fracas – reported by Chris Bryant in the HiC and confirmed by conservatives MP’s. The conservative whips were physically and verbally abusing people to get into the correct (according to them) lobby for the vote on fracking. This was physical and verbal violence between Conservatives. 40 tories did not vote including, Liz Truss. Is she knocked out? Or is it just a standing count to 8? Kwarteng and BJBJ also did not vote.
What happens next? There will need to be an internal investigation by the HoC into the fracas I presume. But 40 tories did not vote – I guess that is at least 30 risking their careers (or taking a nuanced punt if they are in a potential fracking constituency)? I would think it unlikely that the whip would be withdrawn in these circumstances, it would still leave a sizeable majority and the unwrapped would be unlikely to vote with Labour?
One comment I have heard is that MP’s who are likely to lose their seats may head for an early exit if they can get themselves decent jobs in the meantime? A sitting MP is apparently worth 2 in the bush (ex-MP). And there could be a fair few at the next election.
Comments have also been made about the “Cabinet of Incompetents “. Truss must be fully aware that her choices are, in the main weak and useless. The influence of the Bruges Group and ERG appears to have gone? Does Hunt have enough power to force changes? Although I fear he is cut from the same cloth, talking austerity rather than tax rises.
Whilst a general election is still. not on the table – there seems to be few get out schemes available. The economy is going no where fast at best. Hunt was a retainer – could he get a sensible trade deal with the EU – that would instantly add about 2% or more to our trade. Take NI off the table for strident unpopular policies and the USA might come back as trade partners par excellence? That would mean clearing out the Cabinet of all the out of date ideologies and Brexit lovers.