The rules of the Tory leadership contest make it a wild card to play

The moment Philip May helped his wife from the stage after her conference speech, it became clear that it is only a matter of when, not if, her leadership of the Conservative Party and occupancy of No.10 comes to an end.

What happens next? Who knows, but if you understand the rules, it is just possible a sequence of events has started which will ultimately lead to hundreds of thousands of people participating in a three month election process for a new leader. It might even result in a surprising outcome. In other words, a relatively unknown newer MP, such as Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden); or Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden); or Rishi Sunak (Richmond, Yorks), being chosen.

In the short term, such a contest would mean more uncertainty. It would definitely be a risk. But in the long term, that might be the best outcome. Let me explain.

Given the numerous system failures at the conference which resulted in a prankster getting so close and giving Theresa May what must have been a terrible fright, the letters falling off the set, the disappointing policies, and the conduct of her colleagues, I am sure lots of people found themselves agreeing with Vince Cable, who said he had sympathy for her, as she is surrounded by people who are not only “disloyal, but incompetent.