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| The Tories must do the unthinkable when selecting their leader, and forget Brexit | The Tories must do the unthinkable when selecting their leader, and forget Brexit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Dominic Raab wants us to know that he’s the man to negotiate with Brussels. Or at least, his friends do. Writing in the Daily Telegraph yesterday, the former Tory MP Nick de Bois recalled his time as Raab’s chief of staff at the Brexit department. It’s a paean that reaches a climax with a description of Michel Barnier ripping out his earpiece, and includes the line: “I have seen Dominic Raab look Michel Barnier in the eye and it wasn’t Dominic who blinked first.” Which is joyous news, if you use ocular moisture levels as your marker of greatness. | Dominic Raab wants us to know that he’s the man to negotiate with Brussels. Or at least, his friends do. Writing in the Daily Telegraph yesterday, the former Tory MP Nick de Bois recalled his time as Raab’s chief of staff at the Brexit department. It’s a paean that reaches a climax with a description of Michel Barnier ripping out his earpiece, and includes the line: “I have seen Dominic Raab look Michel Barnier in the eye and it wasn’t Dominic who blinked first.” Which is joyous news, if you use ocular moisture levels as your marker of greatness. |
| Who should be the next Tory leader? Our panel responds | Polly Toynbee and others | Who should be the next Tory leader? Our panel responds | Polly Toynbee and others |
| Not everyone agrees that Raab played a blinder in Brussels. In the recent BBC4 documentary Brexit: Behind Closed Doors, we do indeed see Barnier tell a meeting that Raab made threats Theresa May “never dared to say”, but he also claims that Raab immediately backed down when challenged. (“He immediately took his words back … he is not always into nuances, Dominic Raab.”) So much for the Art of the Deal. | Not everyone agrees that Raab played a blinder in Brussels. In the recent BBC4 documentary Brexit: Behind Closed Doors, we do indeed see Barnier tell a meeting that Raab made threats Theresa May “never dared to say”, but he also claims that Raab immediately backed down when challenged. (“He immediately took his words back … he is not always into nuances, Dominic Raab.”) So much for the Art of the Deal. |
| But the most dangerous aspect of the War of Barnier’s Earpiece is precisely that it’s all about who said what to whom in Brussels. Team Raab is clear in its intention to present the Brexit crisis as the criterion on which we should be selecting the next prime minister. And yes, that is clearly the most imminent crisis facing the country. But as Brexit continues to suck the oxygen from all other areas of government policy, there is a danger of electing a prime minister whose domestic agenda hasn’t been sufficiently examined. Yesterday’s Augar review into further education funding passed with nary a word of comment from the candidates. | But the most dangerous aspect of the War of Barnier’s Earpiece is precisely that it’s all about who said what to whom in Brussels. Team Raab is clear in its intention to present the Brexit crisis as the criterion on which we should be selecting the next prime minister. And yes, that is clearly the most imminent crisis facing the country. But as Brexit continues to suck the oxygen from all other areas of government policy, there is a danger of electing a prime minister whose domestic agenda hasn’t been sufficiently examined. Yesterday’s Augar review into further education funding passed with nary a word of comment from the candidates. |
| We face crises as a society beyond Brexit. That should be obvious from yesterday’s row over the shameful protests by homophobic parents which are now spreading outside schools in Birmingham. The protesters, if one distils a torrent of misinformation, object primarily to an early years programme which introduces the idea that social relationships are diverse. These protesters project a narrow, reactionary version of Islam, but Tory leadership candidate Esther McVey jumped in yesterday to make common cause. Though she criticised the nature of the protests outside school buildings, McVey defended the right of parents to remove their children from classes which teach “certain forms of sex and relationship education”. | We face crises as a society beyond Brexit. That should be obvious from yesterday’s row over the shameful protests by homophobic parents which are now spreading outside schools in Birmingham. The protesters, if one distils a torrent of misinformation, object primarily to an early years programme which introduces the idea that social relationships are diverse. These protesters project a narrow, reactionary version of Islam, but Tory leadership candidate Esther McVey jumped in yesterday to make common cause. Though she criticised the nature of the protests outside school buildings, McVey defended the right of parents to remove their children from classes which teach “certain forms of sex and relationship education”. |
| The clashes, which began at Parkfield community school in Saltley, Birmingham, are the messy, human embodiment of the abiding cultural tension of modern Britain: can we build a liberal, open society while protecting the civil liberties of people who associate on the basis of rejecting those values? When it comes to protecting children from homophobia, whether from conservative Muslims, evangelical Christians or even radical Conservative constituency associations, the answer should be clear. Every Tory leadership candidate should be asked how they would tackle the Birmingham school question. If the Tory membership still choose to elect a candidate who’s OK with this discrimination, at least the rest of us will know who we’re dealing with. | The clashes, which began at Parkfield community school in Saltley, Birmingham, are the messy, human embodiment of the abiding cultural tension of modern Britain: can we build a liberal, open society while protecting the civil liberties of people who associate on the basis of rejecting those values? When it comes to protecting children from homophobia, whether from conservative Muslims, evangelical Christians or even radical Conservative constituency associations, the answer should be clear. Every Tory leadership candidate should be asked how they would tackle the Birmingham school question. If the Tory membership still choose to elect a candidate who’s OK with this discrimination, at least the rest of us will know who we’re dealing with. |
| The environment secretary’s campaign plan was knocked off course by revelations about drug-taking. | The environment secretary’s campaign plan was knocked off course by revelations about drug-taking. |
| He has sought to regain his place as the leading ‘Stop Boris’ with a series of policy pledges, from a new social insurance to pay for social care, to changing human rights law to prevent service personnel being pursued over historical crimes. He has better Brexiter credentials than Hunt, is liked by the moderate wing of the party, and is a better orator than almost any other candidate. | He has sought to regain his place as the leading ‘Stop Boris’ with a series of policy pledges, from a new social insurance to pay for social care, to changing human rights law to prevent service personnel being pursued over historical crimes. He has better Brexiter credentials than Hunt, is liked by the moderate wing of the party, and is a better orator than almost any other candidate. |
| He has played up his senior role in the Vote Leave campaign, saying he had ‘led from the front’ because he believed it was ‘the right thing to do, at a critical moment in our history’. | He has played up his senior role in the Vote Leave campaign, saying he had ‘led from the front’ because he believed it was ‘the right thing to do, at a critical moment in our history’. |
| On Brexit he has publicly discussed the idea of extending the Brexit deadline slightly beyond 31 October, if needed to finalise a deal. Has not completely ruled out a no-deal Brexit. | On Brexit he has publicly discussed the idea of extending the Brexit deadline slightly beyond 31 October, if needed to finalise a deal. Has not completely ruled out a no-deal Brexit. |
| He received 37 votes in the first round, 41 in the second, and 51 in the third round, placing him third each time. | |
| The foreign secretary has made the case that he is the most serious and experienced would-be leader, in an apparent rebuke to his main rival, Boris Johnson. | The foreign secretary has made the case that he is the most serious and experienced would-be leader, in an apparent rebuke to his main rival, Boris Johnson. |
| On Brexit he believes a new deal is possible by 31 October, and would send a new, cross-party negotiating team to Brussels. Would countenance leaving EU without a deal, but has warned that could lead to a confidence vote and potentially an election. | On Brexit he believes a new deal is possible by 31 October, and would send a new, cross-party negotiating team to Brussels. Would countenance leaving EU without a deal, but has warned that could lead to a confidence vote and potentially an election. |
| Hunt’s problem is he is seen as the continuity candidate, the safe pair of hands, when colleagues are starting to see the attraction of a new style. | Hunt’s problem is he is seen as the continuity candidate, the safe pair of hands, when colleagues are starting to see the attraction of a new style. |
| He received 43 votes in the first round and 46 votes in the second round. He continued to be in second place in the third round with 54 votes. | |
| Javid struggled to define himself in the first days of the campaign, not a fresh face, not a safe pair of hands, or a true Brexit believer. But his campaign picked up, with the endorsement of popular Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, a polished leadership video telling the moving story of his background, and a lively launch speech. It was still only enough to place him fifth, though. | Javid struggled to define himself in the first days of the campaign, not a fresh face, not a safe pair of hands, or a true Brexit believer. But his campaign picked up, with the endorsement of popular Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, a polished leadership video telling the moving story of his background, and a lively launch speech. It was still only enough to place him fifth, though. |
| On Brexit, Javid says he wants to leave with a deal, but has talked down the idea of another extension and would be prepared to opt for no deal. | On Brexit, Javid says he wants to leave with a deal, but has talked down the idea of another extension and would be prepared to opt for no deal. |
| He is expected to make a new push to define himself as the change candidate who can talk to Tory voters in new places – though he may also be tempted to drop out to tuck in behind one of the frontrunners. It is hard to see how he could make it into the final two from this position. | He is expected to make a new push to define himself as the change candidate who can talk to Tory voters in new places – though he may also be tempted to drop out to tuck in behind one of the frontrunners. It is hard to see how he could make it into the final two from this position. |
| He received 23 votes in the first round, 33 votes in the second, and 38 in the third. | |
| The former foreign secretary already has enough support to progress through to the members’ ballot. All Johnson needs to do is sit tight, keep his MPs sweet and try not to ruin it for himself. He has kept a low profile in the media and stayed in the tearooms and in his office, methodically talking round colleagues. His team know that one negative news cycle because of an off-guard comment could see his star plummet – and Johnson is more prone to those than most. | The former foreign secretary already has enough support to progress through to the members’ ballot. All Johnson needs to do is sit tight, keep his MPs sweet and try not to ruin it for himself. He has kept a low profile in the media and stayed in the tearooms and in his office, methodically talking round colleagues. His team know that one negative news cycle because of an off-guard comment could see his star plummet – and Johnson is more prone to those than most. |
| On Brexit he has promised the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, come what may, even without a deal if a new agreement cannot be reached in time. | On Brexit he has promised the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, come what may, even without a deal if a new agreement cannot be reached in time. |
| Johnson won the first round with 114 votes, and the second round with 126 votes. He won the third round with 143 votes. | |
| Parkfield LGBT protest: Why has the school’s top teacher been silenced? | Parkfield LGBT protest: Why has the school’s top teacher been silenced? |
| Some leadership candidates have publicly criticised McVey. Last night, Kit Malthouse responded with a pointed celebration of the LGBT+ Conservatives group; the defence secretary, Penny Mordaunt, who is likely to officially launch her run next week, tweeted her support for the “age-appropriate” No Outsiders programme. | Some leadership candidates have publicly criticised McVey. Last night, Kit Malthouse responded with a pointed celebration of the LGBT+ Conservatives group; the defence secretary, Penny Mordaunt, who is likely to officially launch her run next week, tweeted her support for the “age-appropriate” No Outsiders programme. |
| Mordaunt is also one of the few candidates who clearly grasps that the Conservative party needs a comprehensive policy offer, rather than just more Brexit rows. In an article published on the Conservative Home website yesterday, she criticised the May government for dereliction of broader policy reform: “The major challenges for our country, from social care to social mobility, still largely reside under a thick layer of dust in the ‘too tough’ in-tray.” Mordaunt began her piece by highlighting the care scandal at Whorlton Hall, in which vulnerable and disabled people were abused; Rory Stewart has also admirably promised to prioritise the crisis in social care. | Mordaunt is also one of the few candidates who clearly grasps that the Conservative party needs a comprehensive policy offer, rather than just more Brexit rows. In an article published on the Conservative Home website yesterday, she criticised the May government for dereliction of broader policy reform: “The major challenges for our country, from social care to social mobility, still largely reside under a thick layer of dust in the ‘too tough’ in-tray.” Mordaunt began her piece by highlighting the care scandal at Whorlton Hall, in which vulnerable and disabled people were abused; Rory Stewart has also admirably promised to prioritise the crisis in social care. |
| But what of Raab, Boris Johnson and Steve Baker, the great Brexit hardmen? Do they have a promise for the nation beyond 31 October? Johnson, as an acerbic enemy recently told the Financial Times, “is the Kama Sutra candidate: he’s held every position on every conceivable topic.” Baker spends a lot of time talking about returning to the gold standard – he has written about carrying an ounce of silver in his pocket, just in case it gives him the opportunity to deliver the line, “I can’t afford to lose an ounce of gold”. (It’s funny if you’re into Austrian economics. Honest.) | But what of Raab, Boris Johnson and Steve Baker, the great Brexit hardmen? Do they have a promise for the nation beyond 31 October? Johnson, as an acerbic enemy recently told the Financial Times, “is the Kama Sutra candidate: he’s held every position on every conceivable topic.” Baker spends a lot of time talking about returning to the gold standard – he has written about carrying an ounce of silver in his pocket, just in case it gives him the opportunity to deliver the line, “I can’t afford to lose an ounce of gold”. (It’s funny if you’re into Austrian economics. Honest.) |
| As for Raab’s hinterland, recent days have finally established that the man who called feminists “obnoxious bigots” does not consider himself a feminist. More broadly, Raab has long been one of a counter-Cameron generation of Tories who draw direct inspiration from the anti-bureaucratic vision of Margaret Thatcher. In 2012, he teamed up with Liz Truss, Priti Patel, Kwasi Kwarteng and Chris Skidmore to write a neo-Thatcherite manifesto, Britannia Unchained. | As for Raab’s hinterland, recent days have finally established that the man who called feminists “obnoxious bigots” does not consider himself a feminist. More broadly, Raab has long been one of a counter-Cameron generation of Tories who draw direct inspiration from the anti-bureaucratic vision of Margaret Thatcher. In 2012, he teamed up with Liz Truss, Priti Patel, Kwasi Kwarteng and Chris Skidmore to write a neo-Thatcherite manifesto, Britannia Unchained. |
| For those of us who actually believe in small-state economics, it would be no bad thing for the Tory party to renounce the Miliband-lite market interventionalism pioneered by May. (Or perhaps we should call it socialism – which is exactly what May called it when Miliband proposed the policies she later nicked.) But within the purity of his vision, Raab never gives the impression of having charity for those left out by the economic survival of the fittest. Just prior to the publication of Britannia Unchained, a row kicked off about a line in the book which alleged that, “Once they enter the workplace, the British are among the worst idlers in the world.” Many suggested the line was written by Truss. In fact, as I confirmed when researching Truss for The Honourable Ladies, Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith’s forthcoming collection of essays on female MPs, it was written by Raab. | For those of us who actually believe in small-state economics, it would be no bad thing for the Tory party to renounce the Miliband-lite market interventionalism pioneered by May. (Or perhaps we should call it socialism – which is exactly what May called it when Miliband proposed the policies she later nicked.) But within the purity of his vision, Raab never gives the impression of having charity for those left out by the economic survival of the fittest. Just prior to the publication of Britannia Unchained, a row kicked off about a line in the book which alleged that, “Once they enter the workplace, the British are among the worst idlers in the world.” Many suggested the line was written by Truss. In fact, as I confirmed when researching Truss for The Honourable Ladies, Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith’s forthcoming collection of essays on female MPs, it was written by Raab. |
| Forget Boris Johnson. The Tory leader could come from the centre | Martin Kettle | Forget Boris Johnson. The Tory leader could come from the centre | Martin Kettle |
| What would a Raab government look like, beyond the glorious point at which the “details man” delivers a sunshine Brexit? We can make guesses, and those guesses don’t yield a gentle landscape. But we must ensure that every candidate in this contest is asked for a vision for the nation, not just a negotiating strategy for Brussels. There is life beyond Brexit. | What would a Raab government look like, beyond the glorious point at which the “details man” delivers a sunshine Brexit? We can make guesses, and those guesses don’t yield a gentle landscape. But we must ensure that every candidate in this contest is asked for a vision for the nation, not just a negotiating strategy for Brussels. There is life beyond Brexit. |
| • Kate Maltby writes about theatre, politics and culture | • Kate Maltby writes about theatre, politics and culture |
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