Tuesday 11 June 2019

If only dogs could vote...

So Gail, I gather that we in the UK will shortly have a new Prime Minister?

Yes Bertie, that is correct, Theresa May has been forced to stand down as leader of the Conservative party, and the process of electing her successor, who will be our new Prime Minister, begins this week. 

You know what, Gail? I have a theory about why Mrs May failed as PM.

(Gail groans silently.) Er, do tell me Bertie.

Well, it seems to me that it would all have gone so much better if she had a dog.  After all, Winston Churchill (who needs no introduction) was well known to adore his poodle Rufus. Clement Attlee, whose government founded the NHS and the welfare state, was also a dog lover. Awesome achievers, both PMs.  So I'm thinking, which of the many contenders for the Tory leadership is particularly fond of pups? Surely that would be a promising sign?
Churchill and Rufus

Clement Attlee and Ting
Well Bertie, it's an interesting theory....

So anyway, I've researched the issue thoroughly, it seems to me the best choice would be either Michael Gove (owner of Bichon Frise Snowy, whose name may or may not be a coded reference to Gove's recently admitted history of cocaine use) or Rory Stewart, who adopted a dog, Babur, when he walked across Afghanistan, as described most movingly in his book, 'The Places in Between'. A book that you read and, I believe, enjoyed. Incidentally, both of these contenders are Scottish, and Michael Gove was even brought up in Aberdeen, surely a point in his favour?
Michael Gove and Snowy

Rory Stewart and Babur

Slight problem Bertie, only Members of Parliament and, ultimately, members of the Conservative party, get to vote for their leader, so neither you nor I qualify.

Oh, that's a shame Gail. Who do you think will win?

Bertie, the bad news is that it's almost certainly going to be Boris...
Boris Johnson and twin..

13 comments:

  1. we agree with you..... it's a shame that dogs can not vote... to get mr. churchill back would be great and if that would be possible we would like to get Valéry Giscard d'Estaing back, because he had a weimaraner...

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  2. Bertie, I hate to pour cold water on your excellent narrative, but my human says that Hitler was a dog lover too, so not everyone who has a dog is a nice person. He had a beautiful GSD called Blondie.
    We're not sure how things will be in the UK if Boris is in charge, but Brexit can't be a bigger farce than it already is. It's such an embarrassment when European friends and neighbours ask my human what's happening with Brexit !

    Love,
    Inca xx

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    1. Hmmm. Fair point re Hitler....
      Toodle pip! Bertie.

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  3. The "wig" on Boris's dog has us in stitches☺

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  4. Hari Om
    Coppa beat me to the theory-breaker. Bertie lad, let's face it, none of the contenders are worth spit, but this is the state of Westminster. yeeeeeecchhhhhhhhhh... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  5. Bertie
    Now if Gail could just quickly get her name on the voting ballot. Everything would be right with the world and you could live in 10 Downing!! Every buddy knows a WFT would be a fine PM sidekick
    Hugs
    Cecilia

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  6. We think dog ownership is a must for politicians. Best of luck with your new government.
    Gail - Lady's father has found she is a decent from King Edward I, Sir Richard Southwell (not proud of that) and Saint Robert Southwell.

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  7. It's too bad pups can't vote in elections. The world would be a kinder place if we could run the governments.

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  8. Dogs should definitely be able to vote. We're SO much smarter than humans!

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  9. We are with you Bertie! We not only think dogs should be able to vote...but we think dogs might be better leaders too!
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  10. A few dogs in parliament would help, we think. We always know shifty characters. Of course, in parliament, there are loads of shifty characters, so the dogs couldn't rest.

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  11. Well, Bertie, if it IS Boris, you can take solace in the fact that he inherits not only the Brexit problem, but Larry the 10 Downing Street CAT as well....

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  12. We think you are right about that, people who own dogs usually are the BEST! (Cat owners come in a close second.)

    Your friend Kiki

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