Penny Mordaunt sparks speculation she will run in Tory leadership race with massive grassroots event
PENNY Mordaunt has sparked speculation she will enter the Tory leadership race next week after announcing plans to hold the largest ever conference call with grassroot Tories.
The popular Defence Secretary and leading Brexiteer also paves the way for her leadership challenge in an article on the influential Conservative Home website instead of the “usual tired routine”.
She will say it’s time for a leader who will tackle major issues such as the social care time-bomb and social mobility.
In what will be interpreted as a dig at Theresa May, Ms Mordaunt will say these issues “still largely reside under a thick layer of dust in the ‘too tough in-tray’”.
In a sign that she will wait until next week to formally enter the leadership challenge Ms Mordaunt will hold a live call with Tory party members next Tuesday at 8pm to canvas opinion on how they want the country governed.
Aides said the call will also allow members to suggest ideas and “help put the ideas, experience and knowledge of the party’s activists and campaigners at the heart of this contest”.
PM WANNABES
Meanwhile today arch-Brexiteer Steve Baker will finally decide whether to run himself.
He is said to be “increasingly minded to give it a go” following a poll of Tory members put him fourth favourite.
In a reference to the 27 Tory MPs who rebelled on all three occasions to vote against Mrs May’s Brexit deal, an ally said: “It’s important someone holds the spartan torch.”
“At the very least If he runs he’ll have an influence on the others.”
Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper is expected to declare he is running on Saturday.
In the strongest indication yet that he is preparing a leadership bid he uploaded a series of videos setting out his policy suggestions on key topics on his YouTube channel on Wednesday.
INTO THE FRAY
Treasury Minister Jesse Norman is likely to enter the fray today in an article in his local Hereford newspaper.
On Wednesday he said he was “consulting” allies and members about running, telling the BBC: “We have to be true to the idea of One Nation.”
Brexit Minister James Cleverly, who became the 11th leadership candidate on Wednesday, said he was “very proud” that he could become the first prime minister from a BAME background.
He said a No Deal Brexit “can be delivered but not pursued,” adding: “But it’s also really important we understand that not delivering Brexit would be in my mind significantly more damaging, our political reputation with the country would be damaged.”
Calling for a different approach to the party leadership in an article on the Conservative Home website today, Ms Mordaunt will say: “And the focus on the major challenges facing the world, and the inspiration for us all to tackle them, appears not to be driven by brave politicians but Blue Planet film makers and school children.”
“To be a political leader now, when we need to restore trust, confidence and hope, will take more than the usual tired routine.
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“And so, this leadership contest cannot mirror those of the past. It has to be more than a fight against competing factions. We must articulate national missions that we can all unite around. How do we ensure every citizen can reach their full potential, access the best healthcare science has discovered, protect the environment, provide social care and living support, and a secure home for all?
“To unlock our nation’s potential requires a different kind of leadership. Britain needs some humility from its leaders, not just from the candidates in this contest, but from us all.
“And that starts with listening.”
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