Actually, not much has changed. Sunak (101 votes, increase of 13) leads, followed by Mordaunt (83 votes, increase of 16). Truss third (64 votes, increase of 14) which must be a little disappointing. Kemi Badenoch fourth (49 votes, increase of 9) has done well but there may be some skullduggery here. Gove is supporting her! Tugendhat fourth (32 votes, decrease of 5) which is certainly disappointing. Finally, a sigh of relief all round, Suella Braverman has been eliminated (27 votes, decrease of 5).
The Famous Five…
No clear result in sight as we move to the television debates, beginning Friday (probably four of them), but the momentum today still resides with Mordaunt who is scoring well amongst Tory members. Mordaunt is, as yet, untested but you can tell she is perceived as a threat. The attacks on her are rising.
Sunak toured the studios today and sounded a little slick and evasive. Justin Webb on the Today programme was having none of it and roughed him up somewhat. Rumours that Gavin Williamson is lending the ex-Chancellor’s campaign his dark arts also doesn’t help. You have to ask what is Williamson for in politics? Sunak will have to up his game.
As for the others, Truss is still in the race. Badenoch and Tugendhat looking for profile and promotions in the next Cabinet.
Starmer et al should be putting the work in to maximise the damage being done to the Tories’ reputation from this leadership contest otherwise a crucial opportunity will be lost. Meanwhile, the poor voting public look on with a mixture of disgust, boredom, indifference but just… just occasionally… fascination.
We will all know who the last two candidates are by next Thursday. Phew!
Inside Right Politics 