Breaking the doom-loop of depressing political narrative – harnessed and driven by parties’ agendas- to look different, sound different and offer something new, would, in fact, be a welcome change.
This isn’t just about getting a scalp or an opposition win, this is about a very bad signal sent to China that, in a bid to stay ‘onside’ with trade and co-operation, with this government tricky demands will somehow just fall China’s way.
The former security minister argues that destroying Iran’s nuclear sites will also keep “British people safer”.
He beats Kemi Badenoch to the top spot by six votes as every leadership candidate – except Priti Patel – tops the leaderboard.
On one hand the Immigration Skills Charge is very successful, raising over £2 billion. On the other hand, the Charge remains totally unheralded and there is no evidence that the money has been used for its intended purpose.
If the party ever decides to value experience over novelty again, the first lesson to learn is not to suffer a landslide defeat.
It is overall much more buoyant than last month: only two ministers are in negative ratings, whereas a full 20 have posted double-digit scores.
Our updated guide to candidates and supporters as the contest for the next Conservative Party leader proceeds.
The Conservative parliamentary party is described as the most sophisticated electorate in the world, but it can also be the slipperiest.
Having led on the first two rounds, Jenrick now finds himself a full 8 MPs behind Cleverly.
They might not even make it to the next election before a scandal or vote of no confidence hits them.
Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, and Tom Tugendhat all had more members less likely to vote for them after Birmingham than before – despite our panel ranking experience and likeability last in their criteria for leadership.
Tom has called for national party reform for the entire ten years I have known him. I believe he is by far the most serious about the depth of the problems and need for far reaching solutions than any of the other candidates.
Mitchell says he hasn’t decided who he wants as the next Conservative leader, but he would like to see Tugendhat stay in the race.
The question of who should leave the tent has been answered for us. More right-leaning members might have liked to see the ‘wets’ leave for the Liberal Democrats, but instead, it is they who have left to join Reform—leaving us as a centre-oriented party.