Is Penny Mordaunt the dark horse in the Tory leadership race? After topping a Conservative Home poll of Tory MPs, Mordaunt is certainly viewed as a dangerous candidate by her leadership rivals. This morning she held her official campaign launch in a sweaty, crowded room in Westminster’s Cinnamon Club. The former defence secretary struck a patriotic tone as she recalled the Royal Navy’s fleet leaving Portsmouth for the Falklands in 1982. Mordaunt said it made her realise the UK is a nation that ‘stands up to bullies’.
Mordaunt suggested she would lead a return to traditional conservative values. Comparing the Tory party to Paul McCartney’s Glastonbury set, she said that while everyone was happy to nod along to his new material, what people really wanted was to hear the classic Beatles hits. Mordaunt said it was the same when it came to Tory values: ‘We liked hearing those new tunes but we really wanted to hear the old favourites.’
Mordaunt declared that ‘Whitehall is broken’ and claimed she would fix it
In terms of policy pledges, Mordaunt declared that ‘Whitehall is broken’ and claimed she would fix it.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in