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Liz Truss is already a historical figure. However long she now lasts in office, she is set to be remembered as the prime minister whose grip on power was the shortest in British political history. Ms Truss entered Downing Street on September 6th. She blew up her own government with a package of unfunded tax cuts and energy price guarantees on September 23rd. Take away the ten days of mourning after the death of the queen, and she had seven days in control. That is the shelf life of a lettuce. The Economist October 2022
Politicians should wear sponsor jackets, like Nascar drivers, then we know who owns them. Robin Williams
In the past politicians had to pretend to be nice and friendly. Cunk & Other People on 2019 III, BBC 2019
The results of the council elections in 1986 terrified the Tories. Labour came within a few votes of taking control of Westminster. At once Porter and her henchmen, who included the current Tory MP for Milton Keynes, Barry Legg, called a series of secret meetings to hatch a plot which would ensure that Labour would never get so close again. The plan was simple: to use the powers of the council in planning, housing and even in street amenities, to move Labour voters out of marginal wards and Tory ones in. Paul Foot, Waste Disposal
Reporter: Howard Dean recently seemed to muse aloud whether you had advanced knowledge of 9/11. Do you agree or disagree with the RNC that this kind of rhetoric borders on political hate speech?
George W Bush: Yeah, er, there’s time for politics ... And er you know ... There’s time for politics. And er ... I er ... It’s an absurd insinuation. Press conference
There is no left and right in American politics … This political charade … just a selection between pre-selected candidates … About choosing between Coke and Pepsi. The Corbett Report: Still Listening to the Enemy, James Corbett online April 2012
What about the psychopathy traits? … Let’s take a look at some politicians … Do they exhibit any of the traits of a psychopath? The Corbett Report: Our Leaders Are Psychopaths, James Corbett online 2009
Psychopaths having no conscience whatsoever of course never feel any shame about any of their actions no matter how egregious. ibid.
A disgusting ability to show callus disregard for human life and to inflict unspeakable pain and suffering on others without even a glimpse or a slight tingling of remorse. ibid.
‘I don’t admire the Koch brothers. I’m not against people who make money, that’s fine. But what they do with their money isn’t fine with me. The Koch brothers – they are determined to do away with government.’ Koch Brothers Exposed, 2014, Harry Reid senator, 2014
Billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch are the poster boys for the top one per cent using their money to fuel the growing inequality in America. Day in and day out we see the Kochs using their billions to purchase politicians and policies, taking a terrible toll on democracy as they knock down the middle class, stomping on poor people. ibid.
They inherited a big pile of money from daddy Fred. ibid.
Koch industries is the second largest privately held corporation in the country … ibid.
‘They are interested in using the money they make to buy a political system that allows them to become dominant players in the shaping of the country. ibid. John Nichols
Nothing lasts for ever. House of Cards I II III IV ***** opening scene, BBC 1990
Who could replace her? Plenty of contenders. Old warriors. Young pretenders … What me? Oh no no no. I’m the Chief Whip. Merely a functionary. I keep the troops in line. I put a bit of stick about. I make ’em jump. ibid.
I think you should be prime minister. ibid. Elizabeth to Francis
As you see no Cabinet changes at all. ibid. Collingridge
Unless a better man were to take the leadership from him. ibid. Elizabeth to Francis
Beware of an old man in a hurry. ibid. Francis to Mattie
Cocaine is awfully expensive stuff. ibid. Francis to Roger
You might think that, Mattie. I couldn’t possibly comment. ibid. Francis
So it was most unfortunate when someone tipped off the tabloids about Charles Collingridge’s holiday address. ibid.
After the Silly Season comes the Conference Season. ibid.
We’ve grasped the nettle and we’ve taken it on board. ibid. education minister
Bright girls for research: where would the House be without them? ibid. Francis to Roger
We get all the riffraff here. ibid. Francis to Mattie at conference
We need a leader who’s prepared to let his dogs off the leash. ibid. Francis to Ben, newspaper owner
Who would be a leader in this wicked world? ibid.
You’re a good man. ibid. Collingridge to Francis
I’m interested in you. ibid. Francis to Mattie
He was in the trap and screaming from the moment he took office. ibid. Francis
I wanted you the first time I met you … I want you to call me Daddy. ibid. Francis to Mattie
I’m the best man for the job. ibid. Francis to Ben
What me? Oh no no no no. I’m just a backroom boy. ibid. Francis to Collingridge
When you’re drunk, you’re never bored. ibid. Charles to Mattie
Old farts die sooner. I’ll be waiting in the wings. ibid. Woolton
1I’ll drag you down with me till you’re blinded and drownded! ibid. Roger to Francis
Mattie, why the hell didn’t you think of Urquhart sooner? ibid. colleague
I love you, Daddy. ibid. Mattie
Vote for me because I am more decisive. The New Statesman s1e1: Happiness is a Warm Gun, SDP on hustings, ITV 1987
I should like to begin by thanking my loving wife Sarah. ibid. B’stard accepts nomination
I’ve got the largest majority in the House. ibid. B’stard arrives
A whole Jeffrey? That’s two thousand pounds! ibid. B’stard to Norman
I’ve just inherited a million pounds. I’m going to divorce you. The New Statesman s1e2: Passport to Freedom, Sarah
Piers, you’re as welcome as Jeffrey Archer at the Daily Star Christmas party. ibid.
I don’t speak to constituents. Good morning. The New Statesman s1e3: Sex is Wrong, B’stard
We’ve got to get rid of that plutonium oxide in Hull … Storing nuclear waste was going to be a growth industry, you said. The New Statesman s1e4: Waste Not, Want Not
I am president for life of the republic of St James. The New Statesman s1e5: Friends of St James, Lance to B’stard
You stupid trollop! I’m not a masochist, I’m a sadist! The New Statesman s1e6: Three Line Whipping, B’stard whipped by new French mistress
We’re thinking of running a Spot the MP competition. The New Statesman s1e7: Baa Baa Black Sheep, constituency chairman/father in law
Well it depends what you mean by meat. ibid. Mr Guzzler in his fast-food restaurant to B’stard
But you’ll just have to wait, won’t you. Not at all, your Majesty. The New Statesman: Comic Relief 1988, Mrs Thatcher’s secretary
Georgie, don’t go. I’ll pretend to be Lenin. The New Statesman s2e1: Fatal Extraction, B’stard to black feminist socialist leader of Hackney
We are going to introduce a five-year period of national service in the Falklands for all young men whose parents earn less than £20,000 a year. The New Statesman s2e2: Live From Westminster, minister