“And the blend of qualities I bring are exactly those that are needed if we are to get through the difficult circumstances we are in: resilience, optimism, humility, strength.”
Endorsements don’t matter all that much. But the tone and flavour of coverage does – what stories are selected; how they are written; how they are projected.
Fox and Leadsom are on 13 per cent, Crabb is on 9 per cent, the rest are nowhere.
The 1922 Committee advised that the race end a week earlier.
The upcoming leadership contest offers a chance to present a bolder programme of domestic reforms which develop us as a society, economy and nation.
If we walk away from the British people, they won’t follow us as we veer off into an ideological sunset.
The Executive also chose to reject proposals to extend the shortlist, or to require that it include a female candidate.
What must come first is the need to get on with Brexit in an orderly way. That requires a new Prime Minister and Cabinet quickly.
Many of my closest friends in politics will struggle with the choice I am recommending. But the national interest must come first.
A leadership contest now is not in the interests of our country.
Cameron’s successor will have no mandate from voters and the Government already has no workable majority in the Commons.
There is a strong case for appointing a new Party Chairman who is neutral between the contenders.
Whoever the next Prime Minister may be, they have an opportunity to unite their party, win a snap election and drive Farage back to the political fringe.