George Osborne

[237SJ]

Does anyone else think that George Osborne has displayed more substance over the Brexit result than David Cameron? Most of these politicians seem to be career politicians. David Cameron had his agenda and because the British people who elected him as PM had a different view he has declared his resignation and resigned. Surely if he had any strength and integrity (commonly known as ***) he would have stayed and agreed to represent the British people to the best of his ability. It seems to be all about his career. They don`t make them like they used to.

[Hopkirk]

George Osborne wants a job in the next cabinet, so he's got to try very hard.

[Psybbo]

He has only surfaced today and I agree with Hopkirk, it's all about his future.

[237SJ]

Thank goodness we have a monarchy that doesn`t run off at the first sign of trouble. Imagine if this lot in parliament were all we had?

[bazwillrun]

Im guessing unlike Jezza Cor bin laden, so far anyway, DC would have listened to his close advisors who probably told him its over...

[ladybirder]

I don't really know what you expected GO to do. Perhaps he's been getting on with his job dong a bit of budgeting.

[237SJ]

Exactly, unlike Cameron who is going to run away

[Hopkirk]

He did tweet Justine Greening to congratulate her on coming out.

[Tilly2]

I thought he looked a bit peaky this morning. He's probably had a sleepless weekend.

[Hopkirk]

.. or perhaps been drinking himself silly.

[fiction-factory]

I can suggest some possible reasons why he is going.
He must be drained/ exhausted and feels he hasn't got the energy for it it. Senior people can suffer from stress just as much as anyone.
He may just be running away.
He may feel he has put Boris on the spot by going much earlier than expected- leaving Boris to do all the difficult stuff that Cameron may thing is actually unachievable.
He may have taken advice that it would not be a good idea for him to push things forward since every time compromises had to be made or talks were stalling he would be accused by those who voted for Leave of deliberately sabotaging or slowing down the process.
More than one of these may apply.
I'm not sure we can say with certainty which apply

[fiction-factory]

^ that was about Cameron going -I was responding to 237SJ

[237SJ]

"He must be drained/exhausted" Oh, the poor dear.

[Hopkirk]

The Conservative MPs didn't really mean it when they said they wanted him to stay in charge.

[jno]

I agree with ff: he doesn't think leaving the EU is workable - he's said so quite clearly all along, since well before the referendum - so he's left the job to those who think it is. ABers were very vocal in demanding his resignation - they and many others would hardly countenance a Remainer handling the Leave negotiations - and he's obliged them.

He seems to me to have stuck to his principles throughout, unlike some of his rivals.

[237SJ]

"stuck to his principles througout" That`s my point though. He is supposed to represent the people of the UK. It`s not about his principles - it`s about everyone else`s.

[jno]

I think if your principles come into conflict with the job requirements, it's entirely proper to give up the job, rather than give up your principles.

[fiction-factory]

Stress and/or exhaustion can affect anyone. Would you mock a friend or family member if they said they felt they couldn't continue with their job? It happens at all levels. But it was just one of 4 reasons I gave

[237SJ]

I disagree. I think there are plenty of jobs where principles come into conflict with the job but you have to get on with the job.

[237SJ]

FF - I have had not suffered from exhaustion but I have certainly suffered from stress and reactive depression and I am still doing my job. I`m not bothered about my career though - maybe that`s the difference.

[jno]

Cameron was already going to stand down at the next election, so I don't think you can say he's concerned about his career. It's the queen, the head of state, who's supposed to represent the people no matter what. Politicians are allowed to act like politicians, and that's the worst I can say about Cameron. He made his own views clear, he called a referendum as he'd promised, and he's ready to hand over power to those whose side won. I really don't see a problem with this. (Note that he hasn't actually gone yet, he's still running the country till his party choose a successor.)