We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THERESA MAY TOOK the blame for the Conservatives’ disastrous performance in last week’s election as she faced her party’s angry MPs this evening – in what is viewed as an attempt to ward off a leadership challenge.
“I got us into this mess, and I’m going to get us out,” May told Conservatives MPs during a meeting in Westminster.
May’s Conservatives unexpectedly lost their majority in parliament in Thursday’s snap vote, causing political chaos ahead of Brexit talks with the European Union set to start next week and prompting calls – from within her own party – for her resignation.
Today she faced members of the Conservatives’ 1922 Committee, which can trigger a vote of confidence in a party leader if it receives letters from 15% of the party’s MPs.
But one MP present at the meeting said there was no discussion of a leadership contest, adding “she’s won, she’s got to be prime minister”.
May vowed to stay on despite the poor results, and yesterday unveiled a largely unchanged new cabinet, which met for the first time today.
Foreign minister Boris Johnson, who was reported by British media to be lining up a leadership bid, insisted May should stay.
“The people of Britain have had a bellyful of promises and politicking,” he wrote in The Sun tabloid. “Now is the time for delivery – and Theresa May is the right person to continue that vital work.”
After the meeting he tweeted that May gave a “stonking performance”:
Boris Johnson / TwitterStonking performance by the PM at 1922. One team going forward together for the UK
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 12, 2017
May’s party fell eight seats short of retaining its parliamentary majority, and is now in talks with the North’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – which won 10 seats – to forge an informal alliance.
Deckchairs
Theresa May announced a new cabinet – with no changes among her top team – in an attempt to appear proactive in the wake of a defeat.
In a surprise move, Michael Gove was appointed environment and agriculture minister less than a year after the prime minister sacked him as justice minister.
After the opposition Labour party made hefty election gains by focusing heavily on national issues, May listed areas such as education and housing as top policy priorities.
Concern over DUP deal
DUP leader Arlene Foster said there had been “positive engagement” so far.
“We are going into these talks with the national interest at heart. The union as I’ve said before is our guiding star,” she said.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the government was not looking at a formal coalition but would seek assurances that the DUP would vote with May “on the big things”.
He stressed he did not share their ultra-conservative views on issues such as abortion and homosexuality, which have caused disquiet among many Conservatives.
The deal has also caused consternation here in Dublin, with Enda Kenny warning such an alliance could upset Northern Ireland’s fragile peace.
Lady in waiting
It’s expected that the British government will delay by “a few days” the presentation of its programme in parliament following its setback in the general election last week, the BBC reports.
The pageantry-filled ceremony, officially the State Opening of Parliament but more commonly known as the Queen’s Speech, is an outline of the government’s policy proposal read by Queen Elizabeth II.
It had been scheduled for 19 June and has been in the queen’s diary since April. It’s been reported that the Queen would attend the Royal Ascot the following week, but her plans could be delayed now.
There was some speculation that the delay was caused because the speech needed to be written on goat’s skin, but thankfully, that seems to have been disproved.
Jack Maidment / TwitterBREAKING: Cabinet Office confirms Queen's Speech NOT printed on vellum (calfskin) but goatskin paper (which is not actually made of goats).
— Jack Maidment (@jrmaidment) June 12, 2017
A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May refused to confirm the date at a daily briefing, saying only that there would be a statement regarding the Queen’s Speech “in due course”.
The spokesman added that any update would come from Andrea Leadsom, the government’s new representative in the House of Commons.
What’s causing all the fuss?
Conservative leader May lost her parliamentary majority in the election, and ministers have said the government will have to jettison key parts of its manifesto ahead of the Queen’s Speech.
May is trying to strike a deal with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to have the support of its 10 MPs in parliament.
The speech is normally followed by days of debate and then a vote on the government’s programme, which would in effect be a vote of confidence in the government.
We are working with the DUP in order to reach a deal that will allow the safe passage of the Queen’s Speech.
The State Opening involves the queen reading out the government’s policy plans from a calfskin parchment in an annual tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.
The monarch is clad in white and usually arrives in a gilded carriage with dozens of horsemen to the sounds of the national anthem, ‘God Save The Queen’.
In a bizarre custom dating back to times of hostility between parliament and monarchy, an MP is “held hostage” at Buckingham Palace until she returns safely.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
“In a bizarre custom dating back to times of hostility between parliament and monarchy, an MP is “held hostage” at Buckingham Palace until she returns safely.”
Suitable, as the DUP are still in the 17th Century
@Damien Aulsberry: or because the monarchy itself is a bizarre custom
@Awkward Seal: designated survivor
It’s like an episode of “The Thick Of It” but without all the swearing
Will there be abortion and gay marriage in the north like the rest of the country the DUP claim to belong to? Why don’t they want the same laws as England,Scotland and Wales then? Atleast the liberal minded majority in those countries know how backward the DUP are & won’t tolerate bigotry.
@Dublin Rover: how do you know there is no swearing?
@abcyz: Scotland doesn’t even have the same legal system as England, never mind laws.
@abcyz: they tolerated it for a century now…
Maybe they’ll hold it until the 12th of July as a gift to their new partners.
@Niallers: Good idea for ‘Sash Wednesday’ 12th of July.
Betty will not be amused by Theresa .
Queen Elizabeth can’t do it any day next week apart from Monday…..Ascot races are on….
Paradoxically the DUP will argue for a soft Brexit, an outcome which would benefit Ireland.
@Carl Ingalls:
Spot on.
We have the DUP looking for the Tories negotiate a Soft Brexit. The Shinners bringing down The NI Executive and asking for an enquiry into Arlene’s role in wasting 400 million of the British Taxpayers money. And a Scottish Conservative threatening to pull down the British Government because of the DUP’s stance on Gay rights…Quite surreal!
@Damien Aulsberry: quite surreal is right Damien-All we need now is Arlene Foster as Grand Marshell next St Patrick’s Day in Dublin.
@Damien Aulsberry:
Tory arrogance as unleashed this political farce.
A few months ago Arlene Foster’s political career was in the balance yet here she now finds herself from a position of strength in political negotiations to form a new British government.
The DUP do not want a hard border with the Republic. They could also force the Conservatives to abandon two of their controversial manifesto pledges, the “triple lock” rise in the state pension and means testing winter fuel payments.
Have to say I’m loving every minute of it.
@Carl Ingalls: UK politics has certainly become kind of interesting over the last two years, it had gotten so boring in the last two decades that all the had to offer the outsider, was comic quiz shows and petty scandals. Wonder how my shares in popcorn are performing now.
@Bennythekid
With FG in Power not within the realms ;)
@Carl Ingalls:
Yes, a perfect example of putting Party before country. Theresa May shat on the British Public just like FF/FG have done here numerous times. How we sent a Neo Liberal Puppet and a complete idiot to negotiate relief on our bailout, I will never understand.
Theresa May should have formed an interim National Government and used the brightest and best from each party, to negotiate Brexit. Only problem is, that would have meant a win for the ordinary man in the street and Politicians both here and in Britain hate to see the little man win.
@Damien Aulsberry:
What pleases me most is Corbyn’s political vindication by remaining loyal to real Labour principles and the fact that the British youth responded to his conviction.
@Carl Ingalls:
He ran a magnificent campaign and credit must go to his election team as well.
I think what impresses me most about Corbyn is his honesty, which is a rare thing in a Politician these days. The man can also debate, he destroyed Paxman and May even ran for cover. Think of what he could achieve as part of a Brexit negotiating team.
On the other hand, May made a pigs ear of the election. She was boorish and her strategy concerning the elderly was complete madness given they account for a lot of her core vote. She also had no concern for the British man in the street by putting Party first, something that is also rife over here.
@Greg Blake: Now’s the time to bring back Spitting image, Would be a great show and the Brits would get to know their new DUP rulers .Comedy Gold.
@Damien Aulsberry: SF pulled the assembly for a lot more than that
@Damien Aulsberry:
Boris has a stonking grand masterplan in mind!
Leave May at helm, confirm that any move on Brexit chessboard will cause untold grief for U.K. Economy and citizens. Blames May!
BoJo then comes to the rescue; shafts May, gets voted in PM and turns his guns on Europe, seeking EU reforms on extent of freedom of movement throughout Union.
Not only UK wants those reforms!
And Boris has that quirky personality, intellect and brilliance to pull it off!
#GoBoJo
It a plot to stop the Queen going to Ascot ! It would be embarrassing if she met the Sheiks from Qatar who sponsor weeks racing for millions
What most people don’t realise is that most DUP voters actually support gay marriage and abortion etc, but are forced to vote that way as any other vote would jeopardise the majority unionist vote. The alternatives are too weak/split. Thus the two more extreme parties keep getting in (SF and DUP), and the media does their share of fear-mongering to make sure it stays that way. The more drama, the more stories read/sold. If they would focus on the good work being done in the north that would be a welcome change, start building trust.
@Scundered: Another one of your makey up stories .Next you’ll be telling us the dup don’t support the Orange Order.
The DUP and SF used to be minority parties who were only really taken seriously by the nutcases. Blair/Mandelsson/Woodward made such an arse of handling post GFA that they ended up dealing with the extremists rather than the slightly saner politicians most Nordies voted for. The logic of power sharing is that this position is now entrenched.
The end result is that otherwise sensible unionists vote for the DUP in order to push back on Sinn Fein, and otherwise sensible nationalists vote for Sinn Fein in order to push back on the DUP. It’s unhelpful to pretend that their voters actually agree with all the policy positions of the leadership.
@Just Me: Not at all. He is simply pointing out the reality of sectarian politics as it focuses into large blocks. On the same basis, there are many SF voters who feel they now have no choice but to support that party but who should not be presumed to endorse all that went on in that party’s history.
@Terry McClatchey: Yeah right.
@Ben McArthur: what a load of nonsense Ben, what you are witnessing now in the north is a political normalisation after decades of one party rule.
@Ben McArthur: How can you compare the policies of both parties and say they are in anyway alike. SF live in a different century to many of the views held by the DUP. It’s an insult to associate genuine Irish Republican beliefs with the bigoted and neolithic views of some of those in the DUP.
You seem to have read his post the wrong way, Sean. The point Ben is making is that NI has regressed to the situation where people who would normally never vote for either one of these parties (for whatever reason) are doing so based on ONE SINGLE constitutional issue – whether you favour Unionism or Nationalism. There are left-wing, secular Nordies out there (for example) who aren’t interested in holding back the Papists or saving Ulster from sodomy…but who ARE interested in keeping NI part of the UK. They are being forced to hold their nose and vote DUP because a vote for any other more moderate unionist party is a wasted vote. Likewise SF has swallowed any Nationalist vote, even the more right wing voters who normally wouldn’t care for SF’s left wing manifesto policies.
Utterly bizarre!!! Pure desperation on the part of Theresa May and we allow these nutcases and con artists to govern us!!!
In a bizarre custom dating back to times of hostility between parliament and monarchy, an MP is “held hostage” at Buckingham Palace until she returns safely.
Suitable as the DUP still live in the 17th Century
The PM went initially to the Queen on the basis of false premises. No actual deal had been cut with the DUP. There was no basis for formation of a Government.
“One” will not be amused, I certainly don’t blame her, surely ” One” should be able to call the shots here so to speak !
@Catherine Mc: Surely one should be able to go to Ascot when one wishes.
@Just Me:
Absolutely, I’m just putting the finishing touches to my hat !
@Just Me: ‘One’ is just a puppet whose strings are pulled by parliament.
@Catherine Mc: And I’ll bring the strawberries and cream and the champagne in the old picnic basket.
@Just Me:
Aah cheers and thanks for that. One is very greatful for your thoughtfulness..
Who is yer man Foster anyway..?
Banging on the table to cover the sound of The knifes being sharpened
She just keeps digging.
@Tony Daly: Yes She does. What a fiasco. Whatever happened to the UK? Reminds me of the movie Idiocracy although the U.S. is out in front on that score and it seems like the UK is catching up fast.
Confessio Regina Elizabeth.
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say