Will this leadership contest provide a debate? The Tories got into this mess because have spent years asking who can bring them power, rather than what they stand for or who has the best ideas for the country. The leadership contest should come in two stages: first discussing what has gone wrong and then next who best to remedy. So far, this is my test for the candidates. Have they said anything that moves beyond platitude and cliche? Do they show any signs of being thoughtful? Do they recognise that there is a fight ahead, and that they are prepared for that fight?
I fervently hope the Tory party abstain from the stitch-ups and have a broad and productive debate about who they are and what they stand for.
Sunak has done so, attacking ‘fairy tales’ offered by others – but hasn’t really elaborated on what difficult decisions he would take.
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