Results are in. Michael Gove’s bid to be Prime Minister after leaving Boris Johnson in the lurch ended in failure.
Instead one of two Tory women – Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom – will fight it out to be Prime Minister. Here’s how the players and pundits took the news:
.@TheresaMay2016 tops second #ToryLeadership ballot of Conservative MPs as @Gove2016 bid ends pic.twitter.com/Bhx6MT4uGN
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) July 7, 2016
Gove backers were quick to realign themselves:
V.disappointed for @gove2016. But there is now one clear choice to be this country's PM which is why @TheresaMay2016 has my full support.
— Nicky Morgan (@NickyMorgan01) July 7, 2016
Jacob Rees-Mogg MP has told me he now supports Andrea over Theresa May, too @andrealeadsom
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) July 7, 2016
So sorry to see @Gove2016 out of contest. Will now be supporting @TheresaMay2016 as the best PM and person to bring us together
— Ed Vaizey (@edvaizey) July 7, 2016
.@FiveSpiresLive All joking aside, I only backed Boris because of @Gove2016.When Boris dropped out I was able to back Michael wholeheartedly
— Michael Fabricant (@Mike_Fabricant) July 7, 2016
It was noted that schemes and chicanery appeared to fall by the wayside in favour of all-out-Theresa:
No sign of tactical voting there – May has maximised her vote – Amber Rudd says Priti Patel backed May
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) July 7, 2016
Some were quick to see the funny side (nb, General Boles is a parody account distinct from Gove campaign manager Nick Boles MP):
brb, just updating my cv
Campaign Manager – #Gove2016 (1 July 2016 – 7 July 2016) pic.twitter.com/5JZGtbTv63
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) July 7, 2016
— wint MP (@parliawint) July 7, 2016
At least I get the weekend off now #GoverAndOut
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) July 7, 2016
Meanwhile Leadsom backers were left triumphant at their surge into the final too – essentially unthinkable just a week ago.
From the official corps of her MPs:
#Leadsom4Leader Very well done @andrealeadsom Result Leadership result
Gove 46
Leadsom 84
May 199— Sheryll Murray MP (@sheryllmurray) July 7, 2016
She's done it !! #TeamAndrea @andrealeadsom 2nd on the ballot now it's down to the members vote
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorriesMP) July 7, 2016
To the less-polished whoops of her outside supporters:
Yes! @andrealeadsom is through to the final two! It's in our hands now despite the underhand tactics from @NickBolesMP#Leadsom4Leader
— Peter (@Pietros1) July 7, 2016
May hates democracy. She believes your vote doesn't matter, unless she agrees with it. #Leadsom4Leader https://t.co/AAjmbUtE2n
— Bedhead (@Bedhead_001) July 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/LeaveEUOfficial/status/751077859871952897
Few could escape the obvious conclusion that the UK is now destined to return its second female Prime Minister in a time when certain other parties (and nations) have yet to produce their first:
In 2 months time, women will be leaders of the Conservatives, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens. Labour has only ever been led by white men.
— Joe Ware (@wareisjoe) July 7, 2016
Beat you to it America! Again! #ImWithHer #Leadsom4Leader
— Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) July 7, 2016
