
WATCH: Leadsom insists she wants a ‘managed exit’ – not ‘no deal’
“What I’m talking about is making an offer to the European Union for things we’ve already agreed… in the Withdrawal Agreement.”
“What I’m talking about is making an offer to the European Union for things we’ve already agreed… in the Withdrawal Agreement.”
His announcement on EU nationals – crafted to appeal to liberal Leavers, Remainers and Softer Brexiteers – has perfect pitch in terms of the coalition he is trying to build.
The present election will turn on whether MPs and activists put national popularity before ideological soundness.
Campaigning through policy might be effective, but each promise made by a leadership candidate with little time for thought or research is a hostage to fortune.
He, Raab and Gove are in the same order as last month – first, second and third. No other candidate reaches double figures.
Plus a sixth, less formal, question: are they ridiculous?
There are no fewer than 11 candidates declared as we write, and at least eight others who might join the fray.
From: Hunt, Javid, Gove, Hancock, Stewart, Truss, Rudd, Johnson, Leadsom, Raab, Harper and Baker.
Plus: Leadsom is a mensch. The Euro-elections may be a Conservative wipeout. And: my interview with Blair.
The former Treasury Minister is regarded as a “safe pair of hands”. However, he may not stay in post for long.
It could just be that the next Minister to depart will be none other than the Prime Minister herself.
Leadsom quits – and slams May’s deal as now proposed; the second referendum plan and the by-passing of Cabinet.
It is not the resignation which Tory backbenchers were keenest to see, but it makes the end of May’s prime ministership even more certain.
In a field this crowded and with an electorate so, er, sophisticated, make no assumptions about which names will be forwarded to Party members.
YouGov has Johnson top as Next Tory Leader. So do we. It has him winning run-offs. So do we. It finds 79 per of activists want May out. Our figure was 82 per cent…