My plan to win back power for the Tories

Perhaps the strongest asset of the Conservative party is its members (reader, I married one!) and the best part of this leadership contest has been meeting so many of them. On the campaign trail, I’ve encountered three types of party member. The first want to refight the last election, but with different policies. The second worry about the party’s ability to survive, let alone fight the next election. The third are there for the show – and the selfies. And when it comes to leadership hustings, we Tories lay on pretty regular shows. I sympathise with those in the first group: I’d love to go back in time and have better arguments. But we can’t; we need to focus on the future. That’s why I’m in the second group. I worry that our party is withering away. New policy announcements won’t bring it back. What’s needed is renewal.