''Stop Raab': Tory moderates seek to block hardliner's path to PM' diff viewer (0/1)

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'Stop Raab': Tory moderates seek to block hardliner's path to PM	'Stop Raab': Tory moderates seek to block hardliner's path to PM
2019-05-31 19:48:41 UTC	2019-06-02 15:50:19 UTC (2 days later)
Tory moderates are beginning to coalesce around candidates they believe could defeat Dominic Raab, rather than Boris Johnson, as several MPs told the Guardian they considered the former Brexit secretary the bigger threat.	Tory moderates are beginning to coalesce around candidates they believe could defeat Dominic Raab, rather than Boris Johnson, as several MPs told the Guardian they considered the former Brexit secretary the bigger threat.
The moves against Raab from moderates are likely to also benefit Johnson and the environment secretary, Michael Gove, who Tory backbenchers believe is gaining momentum over his cabinet rival Jeremy Hunt.	The moves against Raab from moderates are likely to also benefit Johnson and the environment secretary, Michael Gove, who Tory backbenchers believe is gaining momentum over his cabinet rival Jeremy Hunt.
On Friday the former immigration minister Mark Harper became the 12th MP to enter the race to succeed Theresa May, setting out his stall as someone who had not served in May’s government and could offer “fresh thinking”.	On Friday the former immigration minister Mark Harper became the 12th MP to enter the race to succeed Theresa May, setting out his stall as someone who had not served in May’s government and could offer “fresh thinking”.
Tory leadership race: the favourites to replace May	Tory leadership race: the favourites to replace May
Six MPs have endorsed Harper so far, putting him ahead of other outsiders including James Cleverly, Esther McVey, Kit Malthouse and Rory Stewart. However, more than half the parliamentary party is yet to declare for a candidate.	Six MPs have endorsed Harper so far, putting him ahead of other outsiders including James Cleverly, Esther McVey, Kit Malthouse and Rory Stewart. However, more than half the parliamentary party is yet to declare for a candidate.
The former deputy chair of the party and an under-secretary in DExEU, Cleverly has only been in parliament since 2015. The MP for Braintree announced his candidacy to his local paper saying the Conservatives needed to “look new and sound different”.	The former deputy chair of the party and an under-secretary in DExEU, Cleverly has only been in parliament since 2015. The MP for Braintree announced his candidacy to his local paper saying the Conservatives needed to “look new and sound different”.
The environment secretary is to pitch himself as a “unity candidate” capable of attracting leavers and remainers, as he formally declared his candidacy saying: “I believe that I’m ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist party, ready to deliver Brexit and ready to lead this great country.” But robust Brexiters in particular dislike the fact that he stayed loyal even in the final days of the crumbling May regime.	The environment secretary is to pitch himself as a “unity candidate” capable of attracting leavers and remainers, as he formally declared his candidacy saying: “I believe that I’m ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist party, ready to deliver Brexit and ready to lead this great country.” But robust Brexiters in particular dislike the fact that he stayed loyal even in the final days of the crumbling May regime.
	The former universities minister is calling for a 'final say on the Brexit deal' as the only way to break the parliamentary deadlock. Gyimah is the only candidate offering a second referendum on Brexit, saying 'There is a wide range of candidates out there but there is a very narrow set of views on Brexit being discussed'.
The health secretary remains a relative outsider, but the longer the race goes on, the more he gains ground for the seemingly basic virtues of being apparently competent and broadly similar to a normal human being, albeit a particularly energetic one. A concerted effort would probably require an image consultant.	The health secretary remains a relative outsider, but the longer the race goes on, the more he gains ground for the seemingly basic virtues of being apparently competent and broadly similar to a normal human being, albeit a particularly energetic one. A concerted effort would probably require an image consultant.
The former immigration minister and chief whip was behind the controversial 'go-home' vans when working under Theresa May at the Home Office. He resigned as immigration minister in 2014after it emerged he was employing a cleaner who did not have permission to work in the UK. He later served as David Cameron’s chief whip. But he has not served in Theresa May’s government and has, therefore, sought to cast himself as the candidate who offers 'fresh thinking.	The former immigration minister and chief whip was behind the controversial 'go-home' vans when working under Theresa May at the Home Office. He resigned as immigration minister in 2014after it emerged he was employing a cleaner who did not have permission to work in the UK. He later served as David Cameron’s chief whip. But he has not served in Theresa May’s government and has, therefore, sought to cast himself as the candidate who offers 'fresh thinking.
Fears that the foreign secretary would be another overly woolly compromise choice were hardly assuaged when after a set-piece speech he seemed unable to outline why his brand of Conservatism might appeal to voters.	Fears that the foreign secretary would be another overly woolly compromise choice were hardly assuaged when after a set-piece speech he seemed unable to outline why his brand of Conservatism might appeal to voters.
The home secretary still has the same weaknesses: he is an uninspiring speaker and some worry he is too fond of headline-grabbing, illiberal political gestures. But he is almost as ubiquitous as Liz Truss, and clearly believes this is his time.	The home secretary still has the same weaknesses: he is an uninspiring speaker and some worry he is too fond of headline-grabbing, illiberal political gestures. But he is almost as ubiquitous as Liz Truss, and clearly believes this is his time.
The out-and-out favourite, so popular with the Tory grassroots that it would be hard for MPs to not make Johnson one of the final two. He has been relatively quiet recently, beyond his regular Telegraph column, but this is very deliberate.	The out-and-out favourite, so popular with the Tory grassroots that it would be hard for MPs to not make Johnson one of the final two. He has been relatively quiet recently, beyond his regular Telegraph column, but this is very deliberate.
The former House of Commons leader, who left Theresa May as the last candidate standing when she pulled out of the previous leadership race in 2016, has decided to have another tilt at the top job, saying she has the “experience and confidence” to “lead this country into a brighter future”. But even with her staunch Brexiter tendencies, she would be seen as an outsider.	The former House of Commons leader, who left Theresa May as the last candidate standing when she pulled out of the previous leadership race in 2016, has decided to have another tilt at the top job, saying she has the “experience and confidence” to “lead this country into a brighter future”. But even with her staunch Brexiter tendencies, she would be seen as an outsider.
The housing minister is credited as the convener of both Conservative leavers and remainers to develop a compromise on May’s withdrawal agreement. He said there was a “yearning for change”. The 52-year-old is a former deputy mayor of London and entered the Commons in 2015 when David Cameron’s Conservatives won a majority. His name was given to the “Malthouse compromise” – a proposal drawn up by backbenchers from leave and remain wings of the Tory party, which would have implemented May’s Brexit deal with the backstop replaced by alternative arrangements.	The housing minister is credited as the convener of both Conservative leavers and remainers to develop a compromise on May’s withdrawal agreement. He said there was a “yearning for change”. The 52-year-old is a former deputy mayor of London and entered the Commons in 2015 when David Cameron’s Conservatives won a majority. His name was given to the “Malthouse compromise” – a proposal drawn up by backbenchers from leave and remain wings of the Tory party, which would have implemented May’s Brexit deal with the backstop replaced by alternative arrangements.
The former work and pensions secretary, who quit last year over May’s Brexit plans, has launched her own in-party campaign group/leadership vehicle called Blue Collar Conservatism, promising to make the party more amenable to voters in deprived communities – mainly through a promise to deliver a strong Brexit and policies such as diverting much of the foreign aid budget to schools and police.	The former work and pensions secretary, who quit last year over May’s Brexit plans, has launched her own in-party campaign group/leadership vehicle called Blue Collar Conservatism, promising to make the party more amenable to voters in deprived communities – mainly through a promise to deliver a strong Brexit and policies such as diverting much of the foreign aid budget to schools and police.
Few things say “would-be leader in waiting” like a kitchen photoshoot with your spouse, and the former Brexit secretary duly obliged with this imageawash with tasteful pastel hues. He formally launched his bid in the Mail on Sunday. Among the more core constituency of Conservative MPs, Raab has been pushing hard, as has his semi-official “Ready for Raab” Twitter feed.	Few things say “would-be leader in waiting” like a kitchen photoshoot with your spouse, and the former Brexit secretary duly obliged with this imageawash with tasteful pastel hues. He formally launched his bid in the Mail on Sunday. Among the more core constituency of Conservative MPs, Raab has been pushing hard, as has his semi-official “Ready for Raab” Twitter feed.
The cabinet’s most recent arrival – Mordaunt’s promotion to defence led to Stewart becoming international development secretary – certainly has the necessary ambition and self-belief, plus a privileged if unorthodox backstory covering Eton, Oxford, a senior role in postwar Iraq and a bestselling book about walking across Afghanistan. He remains an outsider, not least because of his remain tendencies and slightly 2010 view of compassionate Conservatism.	The cabinet’s most recent arrival – Mordaunt’s promotion to defence led to Stewart becoming international development secretary – certainly has the necessary ambition and self-belief, plus a privileged if unorthodox backstory covering Eton, Oxford, a senior role in postwar Iraq and a bestselling book about walking across Afghanistan. He remains an outsider, not least because of his remain tendencies and slightly 2010 view of compassionate Conservatism.
Sir Graham Brady, Penny Mordaunt and James Brokenshire are yet to declare their intentions. Liz Truss and Amber Rudd have ruled themselves out.	Sir Graham Brady, Penny Mordaunt and James Brokenshire are yet to declare their intentions. Liz Truss and Amber Rudd have ruled themselves out.
Among other senior figures not expected to run are Brandon Lewis, Chris Grayling and Philip Hammond. Gavin Williamson’s recent sacking after the Huawei leak inquiry will also surely rule him out as an option this time around.	Among other senior figures not expected to run are Brandon Lewis, Chris Grayling and Philip Hammond. Gavin Williamson’s recent sacking after the Huawei leak inquiry will also surely rule him out as an option this time around.
MPs told the Guardian that Johnson and Gove were having more success at winning over moderates, who have largely accepted that a Brexiter is likely to be the members’ favourite so parliamentary efforts are best directed in keeping more radical candidates off the final ballot.	MPs told the Guardian that Johnson and Gove were having more success at winning over moderates, who have largely accepted that a Brexiter is likely to be the members’ favourite so parliamentary efforts are best directed in keeping more radical candidates off the final ballot.
“MPs are not backing the lowest common denominator here,” one MP said. “That is good news for Boris and not good news for Raab. He’s not been impressive as a front person.”	“MPs are not backing the lowest common denominator here,” one MP said. “That is good news for Boris and not good news for Raab. He’s not been impressive as a front person.”
Multiple MPs said Johnson had been emphasising his more liberal credentials on issues other than Brexit. “Rightwing on Brexit, to the left of the party on other things – that’s probably where the country is,” the MP said. “The nation is not demanding massive tax cuts.”	Multiple MPs said Johnson had been emphasising his more liberal credentials on issues other than Brexit. “Rightwing on Brexit, to the left of the party on other things – that’s probably where the country is,” the MP said. “The nation is not demanding massive tax cuts.”
“Very senior moderate ministers are now fully behind Stop Raab – that is what they think is the real problem,” another MP, a member of the One Nation group, said. “With Raab and a moderate in the final two, it would be a disastrous gamble”	“Very senior moderate ministers are now fully behind Stop Raab – that is what they think is the real problem,” another MP, a member of the One Nation group, said. “With Raab and a moderate in the final two, it would be a disastrous gamble”
Johnson, who remains a divisive figure in the party, is expected to rachet up his campaign next week but so far he has kept his tactics private. “If I hadn’t declared, I could have seen him five times already,” one new intake MP said.	Johnson, who remains a divisive figure in the party, is expected to rachet up his campaign next week but so far he has kept his tactics private. “If I hadn’t declared, I could have seen him five times already,” one new intake MP said.
“He’s speaking to MPs. He’s thinking about tactics. To be honest, that’s what he should be doing,” another said. “He knows people will come and see him in his office if he asks.”	“He’s speaking to MPs. He’s thinking about tactics. To be honest, that’s what he should be doing,” another said. “He knows people will come and see him in his office if he asks.”
Johnson remains deeply unpopular in Scotland and was reportedly blocked from attending the party’s conference by its leader, Ruth Davidson. Moderate candidates including Matt Hancock are expending serious efforts to woo the 13-strong Scottish Conservatives.	Johnson remains deeply unpopular in Scotland and was reportedly blocked from attending the party’s conference by its leader, Ruth Davidson. Moderate candidates including Matt Hancock are expending serious efforts to woo the 13-strong Scottish Conservatives.
The health secretary has been backed by two of their number – Paul Masterton and the prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary Andrew Bowie – and spent his Thursday visiting Stirling, Angus, Aberdeen, Kinross and Edinburgh.	The health secretary has been backed by two of their number – Paul Masterton and the prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary Andrew Bowie – and spent his Thursday visiting Stirling, Angus, Aberdeen, Kinross and Edinburgh.
Rory Stewart, the breakout outsider in the contest who has spent his entire campaign on the road filming shaky handheld videos with members of the public, has also talked up his unionist credentials, proposing a secretary of state for the union and spending Friday in the Scottish capital.	Rory Stewart, the breakout outsider in the contest who has spent his entire campaign on the road filming shaky handheld videos with members of the public, has also talked up his unionist credentials, proposing a secretary of state for the union and spending Friday in the Scottish capital.
But his social media tour of the UK has not endeared him to many MPs thus far. “This stuff is not going to make people vote for him,” one moderate said. “It might be different if he was now making a hard-hitting speech every day on health, education and the economy. Colleagues might think: ‘Wow, OK, this guy actually does have some pretty interesting answers.’ But he’s annoyed the right of the party, and you can’t actually lead the party having done that.”	But his social media tour of the UK has not endeared him to many MPs thus far. “This stuff is not going to make people vote for him,” one moderate said. “It might be different if he was now making a hard-hitting speech every day on health, education and the economy. Colleagues might think: ‘Wow, OK, this guy actually does have some pretty interesting answers.’ But he’s annoyed the right of the party, and you can’t actually lead the party having done that.”
MPs have also been keeping a close eye on the tactics that candidates have used to announce their declarations of support.	MPs have also been keeping a close eye on the tactics that candidates have used to announce their declarations of support.
Gove is currently the frontrunner with MPs, ahead of Johnson and Raab, followed by Hunt, Sajid Javid and Hancock.	Gove is currently the frontrunner with MPs, ahead of Johnson and Raab, followed by Hunt, Sajid Javid and Hancock.
Hunt began with one of the highest numbers of declarations but MPs have begun to notice his tally has not grown. “Everybody thinks, though no one knows for sure, that Hunt’s declared people may be all he has,” one MP said.	Hunt began with one of the highest numbers of declarations but MPs have begun to notice his tally has not grown. “Everybody thinks, though no one knows for sure, that Hunt’s declared people may be all he has,” one MP said.
Others have been turned off by his apparent “flip-flopping” on a no-deal Brexit. “He alienated moderates by his bullish talk on no deal a few months ago; now he’s alienated Brexiters by calling it political suicide,” one Brexit-voting MP said. “It just proves he doesn’t really believe what he was saying when he was trying to present himself as a ‘born-again’ [Brexiter].”	Others have been turned off by his apparent “flip-flopping” on a no-deal Brexit. “He alienated moderates by his bullish talk on no deal a few months ago; now he’s alienated Brexiters by calling it political suicide,” one Brexit-voting MP said. “It just proves he doesn’t really believe what he was saying when he was trying to present himself as a ‘born-again’ [Brexiter].”
In contrast, the tally for Javid, the home secretary, has been increasing steadily each day, though he is still in fifth place.	In contrast, the tally for Javid, the home secretary, has been increasing steadily each day, though he is still in fifth place.
“I wouldn’t write him off,” one backbencher said. “But … what’s the point in Sajid? He’s not a true Brexiter or a young fresh face or a safe pair of hands. So why him?”	“I wouldn’t write him off,” one backbencher said. “But … what’s the point in Sajid? He’s not a true Brexiter or a young fresh face or a safe pair of hands. So why him?”
Other MPs are waiting to see the candidates’ position on another vital issue for many Conservatives: HS2. One MP said HS2 was proving a major issue with his colleagues whose constituencies were affected by the high-speed rail route and wanted firm pledges that it would be scrapped.	Other MPs are waiting to see the candidates’ position on another vital issue for many Conservatives: HS2. One MP said HS2 was proving a major issue with his colleagues whose constituencies were affected by the high-speed rail route and wanted firm pledges that it would be scrapped.
The MP said Raab was not planning to scrap the scheme and Johnson had “made all the right noises but then only promised a review”.	The MP said Raab was not planning to scrap the scheme and Johnson had “made all the right noises but then only promised a review”.