Any candidate who focuses solely on leaving the EU will hit a brick wall with the Parliamentary Party.
The start of a series in which we ask seven public questions of the leading contenders. They may not be the most convenient, but that’s why we’re asking them.
“No infrastructure on the border, because I believe passionately in that. It is necessary for our Union.”
“What I’m talking about is making an offer to the European Union for things we’ve already agreed… in the Withdrawal Agreement.”
He was asked how he would vote in a second, three-question referendum on Brexit.
“We have to carefully put together the governing party into a majority which will deliver a Brexit deal, which is what I did back in January.”
The Justice Secretary is impressed with the ‘honesty and clarity’ with which he approaches Brexit and ‘no deal’.
The President’s support for Johnson may do the latter no good among voters, but it’s likely to do him no harm among another electorate – Tory activists.
Paul Goodman and Mark Wallace probe who’s had a good and bad week, what happens next – and why the contest isn’t rising to events.
We need a range of policies, an understanding of the challenges and a solutions-based approach that will unite our Party – and our country.
The Environment Secretary also declares that he is the candidate with vision for the future and the “fire and passion to take on Corbyn.”
We don’t know whether they believe it to be prudent or desirable or both – but the message to the leadership contenders is clear.
The 1922 Committee’s Executive ought to raise the threshold for being nominated to 12 MPs and see more than one candidate eliminated in each round.
It’s increasingly clear that he is the candidate who can win back the voters we need to win the next general election.