A notorious Tory has become the third MP to publicly admit submitting a letter of no confidence in Theresa May. And while many people would love to see May toppled, the actions of this MP have given some people pause for thought. Although admittedly, it hasn’t been that much of a pause.
https://twitter.com/chroniccockney/status/1019913666475503616
The ‘filibuster’ MP
Philip Davies has an inglorious record as a politician. He’s particularly well known for ‘filibustering’ proposed bills. This involves talking for so long the allotted time runs out, and a bill cannot be discussed in parliament. This can actually put an end to a bill and stop it becoming law.
Davies has done this many times. He has filibustered and blocked:
- Free hospital parking for carers.
- Ensuring that homes are fit for human habitation – something he opposed as a landlord himself.
- Teaching first aid to school children.
- Banning the use of wild animals in circuses.
The practices he uses are clearly undemocratic, and have no place in a modern democracy. If May ever attempted to stop him from bringing disgrace upon parliament and the Conservative Party, there’s little evidence of that in his behaviour. As recently as June 2018, Davies blocked the prevention of ‘excessive force’ being used against mental health patients.
This unruly MP is now trying to stop the PM’s career.
The enemy of my enemy?
Some people were confused about how to feel:
Receiving a letter of no confidence from a human turdnugget like Philip Davies somehow manages to raise my opinion of Theresa May.
— Sarcoxy (@LittleRedRhino) July 19, 2018
Philip Davies handing in a letter to bring about a vote of no confidence in May is peak Tory. They’ve got 8 months to sort brexit out and we’re on the brink of a second GE in 18 months. Party before country with that shower of feckless twats
— DAN (@dankthemanc) July 19, 2018
Others were of the opinion that even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Although Davies is more like an ancient calendar that’s right once a millennia:
And forthwith and forever more may the calendars mark July 19th as the day Philip Davies did something good. https://t.co/cZUWyE7oPc
— Ally Fogg (@AllyFogg) July 19, 2018
Some people questioned the man’s historically dubious motives:
Yeah but Philip Davies only hates May because she's a woman so it doesn't count.
— Jacob Sheep 🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏 (@jacobsheep) July 19, 2018
Others made remarkably similar comparisons:
Philip Davies submitting a letter of no confidence in Theresa May is like herpes telling syphilis it's not toxic enough 🤷🏽♂️
— Elon knew Ghislaine (@JeSuisFedUp) July 19, 2018
I'm no fan of Theresa May, but sending Philip Davies along to hand in the letter of no confidence is like having Harold Shipman declare a vote of no confidence in GP Surgeries.
— Martin Baker (@ytfcbadger) July 19, 2018
And others took the opportunity to simply have a deserved pop at the man:
You weekly reminder that Philip Davies is a copper-bottomed, weapons-grade, platinum-edged shit-house. #PhilipDavies pic.twitter.com/8JTW1qygbZ
— Karl Minns (@karlminns) July 19, 2018
I'm surprised Philip Davies remembered to sign it, he was probably talking for a week beforehand. A complete tw@ of a parliamentarian
— Richard M. (@MAT70X) July 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/loftymonkey/status/1019907007237775360
No confidence
Davies is actually one of four Tories to publicly admit sending a no confidence letter. The count currently stands at three, though, as Simon Clarke withdrew his on 18 July.
It’s unknown how many MPs have submitted letters overall, but some reports claim around 40. There need to be 48 in total. But even if it doesn’t reach that number, it’s clear that the Tories are not fully confident in their leader. Although some say this isn’t the worst news for her:
Theresa May not having the support of Philip Davies is probably the best news she's had all week.
— John Hyde (@JohnHyde1982) July 19, 2018
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Featured image via Chris McAndrew – Wikimedia / EU2017EE Estonian President – Flickr
