--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tories never actually talk about getting…" description: "\"Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their leader, then suddenly there us a flash of steel between he shoulder-blades and rigormortis sets i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg" --- # Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their… ![“Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their leader, then suddenly there us a flash of steel between he shoulder-blades and rigormortis sets in.” quote by Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg) > “Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their leader, then suddenly there us a flash of steel between he shoulder-blades and rigormortis sets in.” [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political leaders resist removal until a sudden crisis forces change. **In simple terms:** Leaders cling to power until a shock. Key Takeaway Prepare for inevitable leadership transitions. Themes politics power crisis Mood cautious serious Type political analytical When to use this quote - government reform - organizational change - succession planning Key Concepts leadership dynamics institutional inertia Questions to Reflect On - What signs indicate a leader’s decline? - How can institutions manage abrupt transitions? A Different Perspective Sudden events can be destabilizing and risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Tories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tories/) ## Related quotes > [Conservatives claim they are 'one nation' Tories when they have actually been a government for the 1% who have undermined our economic interests through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/conservatives-claim-they-are-one-nation-tories-when-they-have/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/no-matter-how-subtle-the-wizard-a-knife-between-the-shoulder-blades/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [They say that shoulder blades are where your wings were, when you were an angel," she said. "They say they're where your wings will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-almond/they-say-that-shoulder-blades-are-where-your-wings-were-when-you-were/) [David Almond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-almond/) > [“I said, 'Do you know what shoulder blades are for?' She giggled. 'Do you not even know that?' she said. 'Do you?' 'It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-almond/i-said-do-you-know-what-shoulder-blades-are-for-she-giggled-do-you/) [David Almond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-almond/) > [The blankets had fallen off and I stared down at her white back, the shoulder blades sticking out as if they wanted to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/the-blankets-had-fallen-off-and-i-stared-down-at-her-white-back-the/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [“The shoulder blades sticking out as if they wanted to grow wings through that skin. Little blades, she was helpless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/the-shoulder-blades-sticking-out-as-if-they-wanted-to-grow-wings/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [The sad thing is that apparently if you want to become the next Premier or the leader, suddenly you've got to shut down your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-giddings/the-sad-thing-is-that-apparently-if-you-want-to-become-the-next/) [Lara Giddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-giddings/) > [If the Tories get in, in five years no one will be able to afford to buy an egg.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/if-the-tories-get-in-in-five-years-no-one-will-be-able-to-afford-to/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will cramp his style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/no-matter-how-subtle-the-wizard-a-knife-between-the-shoulder-blades-2/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“The razorous shoulder blades sawing under the pale skin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-razorous-shoulder-blades-sawing-under-the-pale-skin/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [“Touch my things again, whether I'm dead or not, and I'll kick your ass up into your shoulder blades.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryjanice-davidson/touch-my-things-again-whether-i-m-dead-or-not-and-i-ll-kick-your-ass/) [MaryJanice Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryjanice-davidson/) > [Shuttered like a fan no-one suspects your shoulder blades of wings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/shuttered-like-a-fan-no-one-suspects-your-shoulder-blades-of-wings/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [I've instinctively hated the Tories since birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brooker/i-ve-instinctively-hated-the-tories-since-birth/) [Charlie Brooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brooker/) > [I wanted us to go to the Tories when we were strong...not in misfortune to be made an honest woman of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-wanted-us-to-go-to-the-tories-when-we-were-strong-not-in-misfortune/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [If the Tories and Lib Dems fought together, they'd keep their ministerial offices and limousines, and continue to do the right things for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/if-the-tories-and-lib-dems-fought-together-they-d-keep-their/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) ## More by Harold Wilson > [The main essentials of a successful prime minister are sleep and a sense of history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/the-main-essentials-of-a-successful-prime-minister-are-sleep-and-a/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [The monarchy is a labor intensive industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/the-monarchy-is-a-labor-intensive-industry/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [I get a little nauseated, perhaps, when I hear the phrase 'freedom of the press' used as freely as it is, knowing that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/i-get-a-little-nauseated-perhaps-when-i-hear-the-phrase-freedom-of/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [Selsdon Man is designing a system of society for the ruthlessness and the pushing, the uncaring. His message to the rest is: you're out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/selsdon-man-is-designing-a-system-of-society-for-the-ruthlessness-and/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [The cumulative effects of the economic and financial sanctions might well bring the rebellion to an end within a matter of weeks rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/the-cumulative-effects-of-the-economic-and-financial-sanctions-might/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [At home and abroad I have repeatedly been asked what are the main essentials of a successful prime minister. Over and above communication and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/at-home-and-abroad-i-have-repeatedly-been-asked-what-are-the-main/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [I'm at my best in a messy, middle-of-the-road muddle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/i-m-at-my-best-in-a-messy-middle-of-the-road-muddle/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [I'm an optimist, but an optimist who carries a raincoat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/i-m-an-optimist-but-an-optimist-who-carries-a-raincoat/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/he-who-rejects-change-is-the-architect-of-decay-the-only-human/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [The Labour Party is a moral crusade or it is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/the-labour-party-is-a-moral-crusade-or-it-is-nothing/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [On 5 September, when the TUC unanimously rejected wage restraint, it was the end of an era, and all the financiers, all the little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/on-5-september-when-the-tuc-unanimously-rejected-wage-restraint-it/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [Whichever party is in office, the Treasury is in power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/whichever-party-is-in-office-the-treasury-is-in-power/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [The labour party is like a stage-coach. If you rattle along at great speed everybody inside is too exhilarated or too seasick to cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/the-labour-party-is-like-a-stage-coach-if-you-rattle-along-at-great/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [He who rejects change is the architect of decay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/he-who-rejects-change-is-the-architect-of-decay/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) > [The ambition of the present Labour government is that every worker in the country will have a greater than average income.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/the-ambition-of-the-present-labour-government-is-that-every-worker-in/) [Harold Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) [Explore all 43 Harold Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/) ## More Blades quotes > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The Kabbalah describes angels as bundles of light, meaning intelligence, consciousness. Kabbalists believe that above every blade of grass is an angel crying "Grow!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-kabbalah-describes-angels-as-bundles-of-light-meaning/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Our past is the forge upon which we are hardened and tempered, to prepare us for the present. We are like a fine blade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-atchley-jr/our-past-is-the-forge-upon-which-we-are-hardened-and-tempered-to/) Larry Atchley Jr > [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [I felt freed to please myself, to find my way as I would, in a world that was much vaster than I had realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-lanagan/i-felt-freed-to-please-myself-to-find-my-way-as-i-would-in-a-world/) [Margo Lanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-lanagan/) > [I would like to see a fierce Fantasia mixed with Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars all in one. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/i-would-like-to-see-a-fierce-fantasia-mixed-with-blade-runner-lord-of/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Staring at her face, she began to fancy her outer layer had begun to melt away while she wasn't paying attention, and something --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/staring-at-her-face-she-began-to-fancy-her-outer-layer-had-begun-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If you look at 'Blade Runner,' it's been cut sixteen ways from Sunday, and there are all kinds of different versions of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/if-you-look-at-blade-runner-it-s-been-cut-sixteen-ways-from-sunday/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Here's an example: someone says, "Master, please hand me the knife," and he hands them the knife, blade first. "Please give me the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/here-s-an-example-someone-says-master-please-hand-me-the-knife-and-he/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [It's ninety-six degrees in the shade... Before I catch blood on my blade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-murray/it-s-ninety-six-degrees-in-the-shade-before-i-catch-blood-on-my-blade/) [Keith Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-murray/) > ["Lay the knife at the tips of your fingers," Rob commanded. "So close youcan feel the blade against your skins. Then cut the shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/lay-the-knife-at-the-tips-of-your-fingers-rob-commanded-so-close/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) Browse all 490 Blades quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their leader, then suddenly there us a flash of steel between he shoulder-blades and rigormortis sets in.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harold Wilson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting-rid-of-their-leader-then/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Blades" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting-rid-of-their-leader-then/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46c/harold-wilson-15220_blades_tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting_653570.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Tories never actually talk about getting rid of their leader, then suddenly there us a flash of steel…” — Harold Wilson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Harold Wilson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-wilson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Tories never actually talk about getting...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting-rid-of-their-leader-then/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-wilson/tories-never-actually-talk-about-getting-rid-of-their-leader-then/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```