‘Via by-election if willing’: Robert Jenrick vows Johnson and Mordaunt returns
Robert Jenrick has suggested he would beckon a series of senior Conservatives back to the political frontline if he is elected Tory leader, even “via a by-election” if they proved willing. It comes after the former immigration minister vowed to make ex-cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg Conservative Party chairman if he wins the leadership election. […]
Mordaunt, Rees-Mogg and Shapps among Conservative election casualties
Several high-profile Conservative MPs lost their seats in the early hours of Friday morning as the party headed towards its worst election results in history.
Where’s Penny? Why Mordaunt and other senior Conservatives have gone missing this election
The below content first appeared in Politics.co.uk’s Politics@Lunch newsletter, sign-up for free here and never miss this essential election briefing. Silent or silenced? Conspicuously little has been heard from Penny Mordaunt — of Conservative leadership contest and sword-carrying fame — since the prime minister shocked Westminster by calling an election almost two weeks ago. Prior to […]
Week-in-Review: Rishi Sunak’s authority is shot
Another week ends with Rishi Sunak’s political standing and authority greatly diminished. The mood amongst Conservative MPs is more febrile, tenser and less certain. The narrative of the party’s decline is sharper still. The month of March has been characterised by a tangible vibe shift in Conservative politics. The political fundamentals have hardly altered; but […]
How Penny Mordaunt won partygate
Penny Mordaunt can’t stay out of the headlines. Whether she’s stealing the monarch’s spotlight by wielding a 3.6kg sword perfectly perpendicular to her direction of travel, or making equally pointed swipes at a former PM for his purported Covid partying — Penny’s making waves at Westminster. When she was made leader of the House of […]
Conservative leadership candidates coy on an emergency budget
After recommendations at the weekend from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown that the government bring forward an emergency budget, the two leadership candidates remain coy on the issue. Writing in the Observer yesterday, Brown said millions would be pushed “over the edge” if the government does not address the cost of living crisis. “The reality […]
Truss and Sunak must offer more than tax cuts
Tax, tax and more tax: a fair summary of the Tory leadership contest so far. As a former HMRC civil servant and a bit of a tax nerd, I’ve rather enjoyed it. But talking about tax without discussing the other side of the equation – what those taxes are spent on – means the conversation […]
Labour MP sparks debate after slamming No 10 boycott of ‘controversial’ Muslim group
Labour MP Naz Shah has sparked debate after criticising No 10’s alleged “secret boycott” of a “controversial” Muslim organisation. On Sunday evening the Daily Mail reported on No. 10’s ”boycott” of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) after Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt was criticised for meeting with the group in 2021. Shah has been […]
Sunak and Truss to battle for No 10
Penny Mordaunt has been knocked out of the run for the Conservative leadership. This will leave Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to battle for support among the Tory party grassroots over the coming weeks. The 1922 committee announced this afternoon that of all 357 MP votes cast there were 2 spoiled ballots. International trade minister […]
Tugendhat eliminated from leadership race
Tom Tugendhat has been eliminated from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative party. The Tonbridge and Malling MP polled 31 votes, while former chancellor Rishi Sunak continued to top the poll with 115 votes. Penny Mordaunt remains in second place, but with one fewer vote (82) than in the second ballot. […]
