We have seen two Tory Leadership bids this morning that aim to show they can bridge the party divides. Jeremy Hunt, who campaigned for Remain and sits for a Lib Dem facing southern seat, has announced that Esther McVey, Brexiteer and northern seat, will be his deputy PM. As he put it, John Prescott to his Tony Blair. Tom Tugendhat, Remainer, southern seat, never served under Boris Johnson, has announced the backing of Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Brexiteer, northern seat, one of Johnson’s leadership campaign whips and still a member of the government.
This is a very American approach, you balance the ticket with someone who can reach the parts of the party that the principal struggles with. In British politics, this approach has a chequered history. The Ken Clarke–John Redwood pact didn’t work, but then that was made towards the end of the contest, not at the start.
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