Portillo

[hamster]

Just watching 'Portillo on Thatcher' and can't help thinking that he is probably the best Prime Minister' that this country never had.

This is coming from a staunch sociailist, anti-Thantcher, Tory hating, (genuine) working class boy.

I have always thought that John Smith's premature death was a sad moment for this nation, but if only Portilllo had had the balls to stand up against John Major at the first opportunity, and not hedge his bets and wait for a second round that never came about, we would be a much happier nation now. Nice bloke basically and just what this country needs.

I believe that he still 'wants it' and if I saw him down the Fleming Arms tonight I would tell him to go for it whilst getting him ****ed. I would obviously be his 'special' advisor on all things football.

[Johnny Bognor]

Just watching 'Portillo on Thatcher' and can't help thinking that he is probably the best Prime Minister' that this country never had.

This is coming from a staunch sociailist, anti-Thantcher, Tory hating, (genuine) working class boy.

I have always thought that John Smith's premature death was a sad moment for this nation, but if only Portilllo had had the balls to stand up against John Major at the first opportunity, and not hedge his bets and wait for a second round that never came about, we would be a much happier nation now. Nice bloke basically and just what this country needs.

I believe that he still 'wants it' and if I saw him down the Fleming Arms tonight I would tell him to go for it whilst getting him ****ed. I would obviously be his 'special' advisor on all things football.

When he was a minister he was too arrogant and too far to the right (and this is coming from a fan of the centre right). However, since he was desposed (in a humiliating fashion) he has moderated somewhat and gained the air of a statesman. He clearly has been doing a lot of soul searching with programmes like making ends meet on benefits. He will be as close to a compassionate conservative as you will ever get. His regular appearance on This Week (after question time) shows him to be in tune with the people and very astute. So I agree with you, he would make a far better PM than Brown, Cameron and Clegg put together.

[Special K]

It's easy to become more stateman-like when you are not a statesman. However, he has wisely dignified himself since his exit from the political arena and appears to have, well, grown up a bit. I agree that experience means he would now be a half decent politician, in the same way William Hague is, now showing more gravitas, but the true blue Tories wont have a repressed homosexual back in the ranks.

[JohnnyFartPants]

It's easy to become more stateman-like when you are not a statesman. However, he has wisely dignified himself since his exit from the political arena and appears to have, well, grown up a bit. I agree that experience means he would now be a half decent politician, in the same way William Hague is, now showing more gravitas, but the true blue Tories wont have a repressed homosexual back in the ranks.

I think they would actually welcome a bender back with open arms to show the nation how all embracing they are. It is the same as giving a woman or black dude a position, but they would never elevate him to party leader.

[Handyman]

I think Ken Clarke is the best and most able Prime Minister that we never had.

[Shuggy]

Tony Benn for me.

On Senor Portillo though, he's good on This Week imho, just a shame that our political system means that as soon as they are elected, MP's have to tow the party line instead of voting in the country's best interests.

[TopGun]

I oce paid Portillo £500 to write an article for a magazine I was editing. The rate was about double the standard rate but he said he needed the money!! And then he sent the bloody piece in handwritten in fountain pen on about 30 notelet pages. I thought he might have managed to get the piece typed up with some of the £500.

[Big John]

I oce paid Portillo £500 to write an article for a magazine I was editing. The rate was about double the standard rate but he said he needed the money!! And then he sent the bloody piece in handwritten in fountain pen on about 30 notelet pages. I thought he might have managed to get the piece typed up with some of the £500.

E-Bay?