It's hard to know where to start when discussing the problems facing the United Kingdom as of late. There is of course the small matter of Brexit, which we seem no closer to dealing with or passing through Parliament than we were on the day of the Referendum results, all the way back in 2016. Then there's the current 'lame duck' Prime Minister, Theresa May, who's simply sitting in Number 10 waiting to be replaced by a man who has repeatedly been caught lying throughout his career; or a man who is often regarded as having trashed the NHS during his time as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Approximately 0.002% of the UK's current population, who make up the paying members of the Conservative Party, will get to decide which of these two will be handed the keys to the country. It's a terrifying thought.
With all of this as a backdrop, it was hard to see how things could get any worse. Then, this past week happened...
What would Conservative Party members give up for Brexit?
Earlier this week, a YouGov poll of Conservative Party members showed exactly what they would give up in order to finally get Brexit through Parliament. The results were, in a word, shocking.
Of those questioned, 46% said they'd be happy to see Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage take over as leader of the Conservative Party. Even more (63%) suggested they'd be happy to see Brexit take place, even if it meant losing Scotland as part of the UK. 61% said they'd rather Brexit take place, even if it caused "significant damage" to the economy, and 59% would choose Brexit over keeping Northern Ireland as a part of the UK. Over half (54%) even said they'd be happy to have the Tory party "destroyed" if it meant the 2016 Referendum result was honoured.
In fact, the only thing Conservatives would give Brexit up for, is to stop Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister (61%).
BoJo refusing to turn up to debates
After refusing to turn up to a debate with fellow candidates in the earlier stages of the Tory Leadership Contest, Boris Johnson has also decided to only agree to a single debate - that on ITV - against his final opponent, Jeremy Hunt. This has pushed his rival to take to Twitter in an attempt to goad Johnson into further televised debates, asking him not to "bottle it". You can check out his full letter below:
Violently manhandling a climate change protester
Meet Mark Field MP. A man who tweeted on May 9, 2019: "The UK remains committed to helping women all over the world to feel safe and protected in the work they do, so they can speak freely and be part of the change we all want." Incredible words, wouldn't you agree? Unfortunately for Field, he proved himself to be all fluff and no substance when he violently removed a Greenpeace climate change activist from a Mansion House dinner in London.
Footage quickly circulated around social media, with those on all sides of the political spectrum voicing their concern about Field's actions. Prime Minister May said that she found the footage "concerning". There were of course also those who applauded him for stopping the protester before she reached the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond.
Janet Barker, who was pushed into the stone column before being grabbed by the neck by the Foreign Office minister, has said that she won't be pressing charges, but thinks that Field should go to anger management classes. She says that she repeated "This is a peaceful protest" whilst being forced out by Field, and when they reached the street, claims that he remarked: "This is what happens when people like you disturb our dinner."
"People like you". Haunting.
He has since been suspended from his position, with a police inquiry ongoing.
Chris Davies facing a by-election
After being convicted of a false expenses claim in March, former MP Chris Davies is facing a by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire after 10,005 people signed a recall petition. Davies says he will be standing once more, and is being supported by the Conservative Party in his efforts. With a Brexit Party MP also set to stand in the constituency however, he could face a split vote, and see the area moving back to the Liberal Democrats following their loss of the Parliament seat in 2015.
Davies was fined £1,500 in April following the offence, and ordered to carry out 50 hours of community service. He said he was "sincerely" sorry for the crime, but that didn't convince enough of his electorate to keep him in the role without facing his constituents once more.
What's really interesting is that, if the Tories do lose this seat to another party, the new leader and Prime Minister will face an even tougher job of passing anything through Parliament. Already struggling without a majority, the new PM could see his government falling before it's even had chance to begin...
Boris Johnson's domestic disturbance
BoJo's downward spiral continued when it was revealed the police were called to the home of his partner, Carrie Symonds. A neighbour heard a domestic disturbance and so rang the authorities, claiming to have heard Symonds telling Johnson to "get off me" and "get out of my flat". She is also reported to have said to Johnson: "You just don't care for anything because you're spoilt. You have no care for money or anything."
Another neighbour told the BBC: "I heard a female voice, shouting and screaming, and then I heard things smashing, it sounded like plates or glasses. I couldn't hear what she was saying but she sounded really angry."
Johnson's camp have remained quiet following the headlines, declining requests to make a comment.
Prime Minister in waiting? The nation shudders at the thought...