What kind of Prime minister would you find acceptable?
What kind of Prime minister would you find acceptable?

Poll: What kind of Prime minister would you find acceptable?

Total Members Polled: 71

Squeaky clean but under par in the job?: 8%
Some skeletons, but solid average in the job?: 38%
Fibs, some scandal's but strong performer ?: 24%
Trump scale of badness but top performer?: 30%
Author
Discussion

satans worm

Original Poster:

2,456 posts

240 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all

Given the huge deal made of Boris because he had a drink in lock down, plus of course his other indiscretions which has forced him out, i wondered how 'dirty' a PM can be that people would accept?

Is it ok to be Trump like (blatant lying, manipulating and almost dictatorship behavior) but the country becomes stronger because of the policy decisions, or do they need to be clean like a next messiah and get away with sub par policies?

I guess its a question of how dirty can they be verses performance in the job to be acceptable to you?

Note im not saying Boris or Trump fits any of the above descriptions as both, in my opinion, way underperformed verses their 'dirty' rating

Boringvolvodriver

11,313 posts

66 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
How about one that tells the truth, admits mistakes and is competent.

Don’t mind what they do in their private life but care an awful lot about covering up lies and not doing their day job.

And puts the country first rather than self interest - probably too much to ask for from any leader these days I suppose……….

Lotobear

8,614 posts

151 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
I'll have a signposter, not a weathercock please. That's all.

(with thanks to Tony Benn)

Jamescrs

5,881 posts

88 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
I'd just like to see someone who brings something new to the table and not same old same old as I believe Sunak would do

KarlMac

4,616 posts

164 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
I don’t agree with the premise of the question. Boris and Trump we’re both ste at their jobs and were also wrong uns.

greygoose

9,375 posts

218 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
KarlMac said:
I don’t agree with the premise of the question. Boris and Trump we’re both ste at their jobs and were also wrong uns.
Indeed.

satans worm

Original Poster:

2,456 posts

240 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
greygoose said:
KarlMac said:
I don’t agree with the premise of the question. Boris and Trump we’re both ste at their jobs and were also wrong uns.
Indeed.
Just to be clear, im not saying they do, im asking, If someone was mighty at their job but the ethics of Trump, would that be better than someone less competent but clean?

i am not saying Trump or Boris meets that description in full!

its just i see continuous 'sandal' of the PM (no mater who is in charge' and wonder, does it really matter, are we looking for a saint or a great leader? or do they have to be both?

NextSlidePlease

6,106 posts

164 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
I couldn't give a hoot if whoever was in charge was caught sniffing coke out of the arse crack of a leather clad midget in the commons bar, as long as they are doing a semi decent job of steering the country down the right path economically.




Equus

16,980 posts

124 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
KarlMac said:
I don’t agree with the premise of the question. Boris and Trump we’re both ste at their jobs and were also wrong uns.
This.

Conversely, just because someone is squeaky clean doesn't mean that they will be below par, or indeed any worse than anyone else.

I do think that absolute integrity and trustworthyness are critial requirements for anyone aspiring to the highest political office, however, so no matter how good they are, they should be out on their arse if they're caught cheating or lying.

TwigtheWonderkid

47,912 posts

173 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
Boringvolvodriver said:
Don’t mind what they do in their private life ....
Neither do I, until their private life shenanigans begin to tell you something about their character.

Johnson, on 5 occasions has got women pregnant whilst being married to other women, was taken to court by one woman trying to get him to accept paternity and pay up, left his wife and mother of 4 kids whilst she was being treated for cancer, has either 7 or 8 kids of which he has a relationship with only 2.

All that is his private life, but there's enough their to tell you he's a wrong 'un, and was always going to be a dreadful PM.

Eric Mc

124,759 posts

288 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
None of the options listed to be honest.

Just someone with integrity will do.

Boringvolvodriver

11,313 posts

66 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Neither do I, until their private life shenanigans begin to tell you something about their character.

Johnson, on 5 occasions has got women pregnant whilst being married to other women, was taken to court by one woman trying to get him to accept paternity and pay up, left his wife and mother of 4 kids whilst she was being treated for cancer, has either 7 or 8 kids of which he has a relationship with only 2.

All that is his private life, but there's enough their to tell you he's a wrong 'un, and was always going to be a dreadful PM.
Very true - some of us knew what he was like many years ago - sadly he managed to convince a lot of people that he was “good old Boris - he’s one of us”!

Jasandjules

71,925 posts

252 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
One that wants what is best for the country.

So that pretty much rules out every MP?

KarlMac

4,616 posts

164 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Even if we ‘weekend at Bernie’s’ her she can’t be any worse than the current st show.

snotrag

15,486 posts

234 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
Someone that has experienced life in the UK outside of politics.

Ran a company, managed people, paid bills, answered to the tax man, had to make decisions that affect peoples earnings and company profits, answered to a board and shareholders.

mikebradford

3,057 posts

168 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
Not sure why anyone cares about the prime minister.
It could be a computer for all I care.

Ultimately I want a government that makes as many right decisions as possible for the good of the country.

If they happen to be the type I'd hate as neighbours and running around dressed in weird clothing spanking each other I couldn't care.

I'd vote based on results.

Castrol for a knave

7,017 posts

114 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
Irrespective of party, an ability to show integrity, empathy, honesty, commercial and political acumen and a sense of duty. It would also see good to see a leader who has a strong intellect.

A mix of Atlee, Gladstone, Blair and Thatcher (I say the latter holding my nose, but she was first and foremost a public servant - the current Cabinet would have remained firmly on the back benches under her).

Whoever become PM, especially the ones who claim military service, including the cosplay Sea Cadet, could do a lot worse than model themselves on Maj Dick Winters.

Edited by Castrol for a knave on Thursday 14th July 16:57

530dTPhil

1,407 posts

241 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
snotrag said:
Someone that has experienced life in the UK outside of politics.

Ran a company, managed people, paid bills, answered to the tax man, had to make decisions that affect peoples earnings and company profits, answered to a board and shareholders.
This would be an excellent start. If the UK had to run on the same basis as a normal business, it would have gone broke years ago.

Businesses don't have the luxury of repeatedly going to the workers, banks or shareholders to ask for more because they have messed up. Fixed costs, outgoings and income have to balance to survive but politicians apparently ignore this simple principle.

Pitre

5,735 posts

257 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
Well, they are meant to be the leader of all of us, so I see nothing unreasonable about hoping for an exceptional person.

Honest, integrity, backbone, charisma, humility, humour, entrepreneurial, empathetic, generous. All would hopefully apply to some degree...

(i.e. Most of the things that Boris and Trump aren't).

Turn7

25,322 posts

244 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
Just a person that would actually believe in trying to genuinely improve the whole country as best they can.

As well as keep their stinking noses out the trough and stop looking after their mates and selves.