This week’s winner in the Tory leadership contest is…Gove

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.

Next Tory Leader run-offs. Our panel’s support hasn’t changed. They want Johnson – followed by Raab, Gove, Javid and Hunt in that order.

Every single winner last month has improved his position this month – though in many cases the difference is marginal.

Our survey. Next Tory Leader. So much excitement, so little change. Johnson maintains his lead.

He, Raab and Gove are in the same order as last month – first, second and third. No other candidate reaches double figures.

Next Tory Leader: Present runners and riders

There are no fewer than 11 candidates declared as we write, and at least eight others who might join the fray.

Steve Brine: Why I am voting for Hunt

His experience in business, delivering the London Olympics, running the health service, and serving as Foreign Secretary all show his leadership qualities.

Hunt declares, Brady stands down as Chairman of the 1922 Committee

The Farnham Herald reports that the Foreign Secretary “announced his candidature to a packed audience at his ‘political update’ talk at the festival at 11am

Tributes to the Prime Minister. Senior Conservatives, leadership candidates.

From: Hunt, Javid, Gove, Hancock, Stewart, Truss, Rudd, Johnson, Leadsom, Raab, Harper and Baker.

Early leadership election MP support numbers. Hunt 27, Johnson 19, Raab 13, Gove 12, Javid 10

What strikes us so far is how fluid the Parliamentary stage of the contest is presently set to be – and the low levels of certain commitment.

Once again, our survey is in line with an opinion poll

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…

There are too many Conservative leadership candidates

The contest may or may not produce a Snow White.  But statistically, there are bound to be more than seven dwarves.

No change, no chance

The Prime Minister’s advisers will dream of her doing a Liverpool – coming back from three goals down. Notts County look like a more telling comparison.

Stewart is appointed DFID Secretary

He is one of the few middle-ranking Ministers who, while others were fleeing for the hills, girded himself up – and went out to fight for May’s Brexit deal.

Richard Graham: We’ve passed the Ivory Bill, now we need to stop tiger farming

As the UK develops its strategic partnership with China, we must press Beijing to crack down on the breeding of big cats for their parts.

Next Tory Leader run-offs. 4) Johnson 61 per cent, Hunt 33 per cent.

These results suggest that while the Foreign Secretary may be doing well among Tory MPs, he would have way to go were his name to be put to Party members.

Next Tory Leader run-offs. 3) Raab 60 per cent, Hunt 30 per cent.

The abstention rate plummets to under ten per cent once a non-Cabinet member who voted Leave in 2016 is offered to the panel.