I’ve been vaguely following the UK Conservative leadership battle. It looks like Boris is likely to win it.
But they’ve been sending out multiple ballot papers to some people, so maybe he won’t.
Some Conservative members have been issued with more than one ballot paper to vote for the next party leader and prime minister, the BBC has learned.
One party insider estimated that more than a thousand voters could be affected.
Members are warned that voting twice will mean they are expelled, the Conservatives said.
Ballot papers have been dispatched to around 160,000 Conservative Party members around the country to choose between Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt as the next leader – and the next prime minister.
The vote closes on 22 July, with the result announced the following day.
It all seems to be down to pure incompetence:
BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme has learned that some members have received two ballot papers, in some cases because members live and work in different constituencies and may have joined local Conservative Associations in both areas.
People who have changed their name, after marriage for example, may also have been affected.
The BBC has seen duplicate ballot papers which have been issued to the same person at the same address.
The Conservative Party and the independent body hired to scrutinise the running of the leadership election were both unable to say how many ballot papers had been sent in error.
If Boris wins, he’s promised to put a stop to the nanny state:
Boris Johnson will end the “continuing creep of the nanny state” if he becomes prime minister, starting with a review of so-called “sin taxes” on sugary, salty and fatty foods.
The former foreign secretary wants to reverse the interventionist policies pursued by Theresa May and David Cameron in favour of a more liberal agenda.
He believes that taxes on less healthy foods “clobber those who can least afford it” and should be halted unless there is clear evidence that they work.
The worst of the “sin taxes”, of course, are those on tobacco. No sign that he’ll do anything about that. But at least calling them “sin taxes” recognises that these are moral crusades that have nothing to do with science or medicine.
But will he deliver on his promises?
Boris Johnson insists he is ‘not bluffing’ about delivering a no-deal Brexit on October 31
After the experience of Theresa May, I’ll believe it when I see it.
I still think that Brexit won’t happen: the political class is wedded to Europe. And they know better what’s good for everybody. They’ll probably bring down Boris if he tries to leave.
Frank Davis 
All Uk so called ‘Sin Taxes’ should be abolished as should the likes of ASH and PHE. Health lecturing by so called experts, hugely paid and unelected should cease. Everyone should be responsible for their own health and welfare.
If Brexit brings us the riddance of ASH et al I welcome it. I’m pessimistic, though. I believe the opposite will be the case.
I still think that Brexit won’t happen: the political class is wedded to Europe.
I am convinced that Brexit will happen, but there will be no hard Brexit and it will take a long time to come. The first thing the British public will be blessed with is the non-EU limit for the import of tobacco products and alcohol, both of which come with a dis-proportionally high “sin-tax”.
Boris Johnson will end the “continuing creep of the nanny state” if he becomes prime minister, starting with a review of so-called “sin taxes” on sugary, salty and fatty foods.
Unfortunately he does not seem to include tobacco and alcohol. At least they are not mentioned and therefore I doubt that they will be included.
Nevertheless, I’d rather see Boris Johnson being the tory leader than Hunt!
‘Sin Taxes’, what am is-leading term.
If you ‘Sin’; like steal or kill, you are sent to jail.
You are not just taxed.
If you are not ‘sinning’ a tax is just a means of social control.
Seems to me that these ‘Sin Taxes’ only serve two purposes:
1. Raise money for the govt without angering the whole population.
2. Provide a way for the ‘holier than thou’ types to control the habits of those they judge inferior.
Giving him the long distance benefit of tne doubt, mentioning booze and tobacco would invite a hail of bullets (pro-cancer! pro-wife beating!) , even among tne public. . But the umbrella of “sin taxes” opens the door to incrementally do away with all of them–though I wouldn’t bet on any
relief for smokers.
Dont tax sugar,but tax sugar daddies.Just think how much you could raise.
People who aren’t bluffing don’t say things like “I’m definitely not bluffing”.