David Gauke

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@robjohns75 @ProfTimBale The point I was trying to make is that “social conservative” tends to suggest a traditional, religious morality. That is not something that Boris Johnson espouses or embodies. Nor does this reflect the views of most of these voters (e.g. no issues with electing many gay MPs). — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @RobertSyms: @DavidGauke Most difficult jobs in U.K. England football manager , Leader of Opposition and the person picked to decide whi… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @ProfTimBale: Good point by @DavidGauke - to which I wish I/we had an answer. https://t.co/0j1bODwI91 https://t.co/8mXYiNryZN — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@ProfTimBale You were one of my best bets for having an answer. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@Sime0nStylites I think the strategy for the Conservatives is straightforward. The execution of it won't be easy. But, in contrast, it is by no means straightforward what Labour's strategy should be. Significant downsides with every option. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@willdsenior As I mention in the piece, I don't like this realignment along cultural lines. It results in polarisation and bitterness, sub-optimal economic policies and leaves some of us politically homeless. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@BenRigbyJourno Very kind of you. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@BrianMaudling Because to do so might further alienate their traditional supporters. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

At some point, politics will find a new equilibrium. The Tories' dominance relies heavily on voters who make up a falling %age of the electorate. But unless their opponents adjust to the new alignment, the Tories are right to be optimistic about their prospects for the 2020s. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

All of this means that while Boris Johnson has been able to capture the Red Wall, consolidate his gains and prepare for a further advance, there is no sustained and effective attack on any Blue Wall which he has been able to leave only lightly defended. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

There is a potential vulnerability for the Tories - their more liberal supporters who stuck with them because of Corbyn. But Labour won't focus on them, the Greens too left-wing & the Lib Dems have the opportunity to appeal to these voters but are squandering it. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Labour is left with a strategic dilemma - go for the Red Wallers and it would upset its metropolitan, liberal supporters; go for a wide, liberal coalition and it ceases to be a working class party and further elements of the Red Wall could fall. It appears unable to do either. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

It leaves the re-fashioned Conservatives in a dominant position, essentially having a monopoly on one side of the debate (as long as no space is given for a Faragiste insurgency), whilst the other side is split. Plus, the Conservative vote is more efficiently distributed. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

My thoughts on the elections in England and the Tories' success. In part it was to do with the vaccine rollout but also consolidating the support of those who supported Leave. We are seeing a political realignment. https://t.co/396iDgxyss — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @ConHome: From @DavidGauke: These results show the Conservatives set for success in the 2020s unless their opponents can adapt https://t… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

The most important result of 6 May elections? — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @robfordmancs: Any way you cut it, the results in English locals are class politics upside down. Lab do better, & Cons worse, in health… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@andrew_bulman @SkyNews Chorleywood is more glamorous. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

@etjohnson @SkyNews Indeed. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

Trying to write a piece for @ConHome and seeing that @GavinBarwell is making all the points I wanted to make. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @NSoames: @DavidGauke #NotaGoodIdeaatall — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

This sums it up nicely. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

RT @NewStatesman: Spending £200m on a new flagship yacht may come to symbolise the fact the Tories no longer care about wasting other peopl… — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

The Conservatives have always relied on the voter who tells themselves “say what you like about the Tories, but they won’t waste my taxes”. Spending millions on a new Royal Yacht may come to symbolise the fact that this is no longer the case. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

And - in the light of the "cash for curtains" story - the PM is getting a reputation for being careless with financial matters; prone to backing extravagant projects; and, as Mrs Thatcher might have put it, destined to run out of other people’s money. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

If the announcement provokes a row, the PM will probably come out of it triumphant (those complaining loudest will be unpopular leftie republicans), but it will still be divisive. Winning an argument 52-48 isn't good enough for the Royals. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

"It'd be a great way of commemorating the Duke of Edinburgh". But Buckingham Palace had not been consulted and "very displeased" about the proposal. https://t.co/qB1M55uprE — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

"It'd boost British shipbuilding jobs". Using taxpayers money in this way would certainly be a repudiation of Thatcherism and, therefore, might have appeal in the Red Wall. It would also be a repudiation of economic good sense. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

In any event, it is a curious trade policy to move away from a large and well-established market on our doorstep towards a focus on those countries where the capital city has a harbour. — PolitiTweet.org

David Gauke @DavidGauke

According to the Sunday Telegraph, this will "boost British trade" by "hosting high level trade negotiations". Not sure that that the prospect of Liz Truss turning up in a Royal Navy ship and offering to host will prove to be that beneficial. https://t.co/FSDjGZTJiQ — PolitiTweet.org