Many will hope that Gove and Hunt duke it out in a constructive way for the right to take on the man who is the clear winner from the week’s events.
The only other candidate with momentum is Stewart – and it is almost impossible to see where he can glean the votes he needs.
Predictably, some MPs apparently think it can all be left down to them to settle now. But it can’t, and it mustn’t. Country and party deserve a full contest.
Hunt is second on 43 votes, Gove third on 37, Raab fourth on 27, and Javid fifth on 23. Harper, Leadsom and McVey are out.
In our view, his support is a mix of genuine enthusiasm and a certain resignation: a sense that now is the time to give him a go.
I am used to people trying to tell me what I can’t do, and I’m used to proving people wrong. I know that our party can fix the problems the nation faces.
The Home Secretary calls for “a new generation with a new agenda”, and warns “there are whole swathes of this country that don’t think we share their values”.
“One of the reasons why the public feels alienated [by politicians] is because too often they feel we are muffling and veiling our language…not speaking as we find.”
Our columnist is interviewing each of the Conservative leadership candidates on his LBC show – here’s the second.
But the Commons has dug in against the Withdrawal Agreement. These immovable obstacles seemingly point in only one direction: a general election.
The second referendum supporter appears to be the latest person culled by the 1922 Committee’s higher nomination threshold.
“I know that you may not believe in your heart that you can do it. But the Conservative Party membership deserve a choice, so let’s have a proper race.”
The Foreign Secretary “pays tribute to Theresa May, and the unflinching sense of duty she has shown”.
“This isn’t the moment for foghorn diplomacy. This is the moment for calm, steely determination.”
“There are dark clouds over Westminster… Britain isn’t broken, it’s politics that’s in a rut.
I am used to people trying to tell me what I can’t do, and I’m used to proving people wrong. I know that our party can fix the problems the nation faces.