Who's Top Who's Not: Tradition, Trumpets and Tiaras

Top: David Lammy

All eyes have been on David Lammy this week as he stood by his decision to call Donald Trump a ‘neo-Nazi sociopath’ back in 2018. Some have criticised Lammy for his poor judgement, arguing that his attitude is more akin to an internet troll than a statesman.

But, by sticking to his guns and holding firm, Lammy argued that all politicians had something negative to say about the former US President ‘back in the day’, throwing the likes of Lord Cameron under the bus.

WTWN thinks that if JD Vance can become Trump’s running mate despite calling him ‘America’s Hitler’, then David Lammy can also be forgiven for his harsh words. Though, it is advised that he tones it down if he wishes to make friends and influence people.

Despite landing himself in controversy, it has otherwise been a positive start for our new Foreign Secretary. Lammy found common ground with Trump’s running mate JD Vance through their shared background, and he also advocated for an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution in the Middle East following a visit to Israel.

Middle: Priti Patel

Priti Patel takes the middle spot this week after sources confirmed that she was likely to bid for the Tory leadership. Pegged as the grassroots favourite with an 8/1 chance of success among some bookies, her supporters hope that she can make the final two candidates that then go to the membership for the final decision.

Patel faces several challengers from the right including Braverman and Badenoch so she may calculate that her best chance is to tack to the Tory centre in the hope that she can hive off some One Nation votes from Last Wet Standing Tom Tugendhat.

But with the 1922 committee seemingly more interested in long lunches than a firm leadership election timetable, Patel will need to time her official entry into the race just right: too soon and you look like a keen bean, too late and you risk losing momentum.

Not: Vaughan Gething?

It’s not Its been a good week to be Vaughan Gething.

Following a string of controversies throughout his short tenure and the resignation of four ministers this week, the First Minister of Wales has now quit after a Truss-esque 118 days in office.

Gething’s stint as leader was plagued by chaos and infighting from the start. During his leadership contest he accepted a ￡200,000 donation from a convicted criminal and refused to return it. Scandal continued with the sacking of a minister over leaked text messages and was punctuated by Plaid Cymru withdrawing their support for the Welsh Government.

As Welsh Labour now searches for it’s third leader this year, the pressure is on to choose a candidate who will steer the party to calmer waters. However, it also gives them a chance to reset and draw a line under a period of chaos.

Going…Going…Vaughan.

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