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| Tory leadership candidates take part in press gallery hustings but Johnson stays away - live news | Tory leadership candidates take part in press gallery hustings but Johnson stays away - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The press gallery hustings this morning were lively and interesting, and covered a very wide range of topics, but it is hard to see them making any impact on the campaign. The 80-odd journalists did not emerge with a strong, collective sense that any single candidate had performed particularly well or badly, and the entire event was off-camera anyway, and so you are not going to see it on TV. But here’s a summary of how each candidate performed, in order of their appearance. | |
| Rory Stewart: Stewart has emerged as the best candidate in the contest for non-Tories (a category that probably includes a majority of lobby journalists) and he got good reviews from the Channel 4 debate last night. But today he may have lost ground with that constituency a bit. His greatest strength has been his willingness to point out the transparent flaws in the Brexit plans proposed by all his rivals, but today his own Brexit plan (try again for Theresa May’s deal, and if not use a citizens’ assembly to find a solution) sounded almost as flaky. His refusal to say if he would vote remain or leave in another referendum sounded feeble (see 11.25am), and he seems to have gone back on what he said last week about being willing to “bring down” a Boris Johnson government committed to no-deal. (See 11.29am.) He has also had to clear up what he said about President Trump. (See 2.24pm.) However, on reducing the north/south divide, he was the most plausible of all the candidates, stressing the importance of transport above all else. | |
| Sajid Javid: In terms of background, if not in terms of politics, Javid is easily the most distinctive candidate in the contest and his account of why he went into banking (see 2.06pm) was easily one of the most memorable moments of the hustings. | |
| Jeremy Hunt: Hunt is supposed to be one of the moderate contenders in the campaign, and so it was surprising that, of all the five candidates, he was most willing to endorse what President Trump said about Sadiq Khan. Like Rory Stewart, he has been in retreat on this since the hustings were over. (See 2.43pm.) This may make him look like a bit of an idiot to the media, although Tory MPs, and party members, may well take a different view about Khan-bashing. Hunt was particularly unconvincing in the hustings when asked about the impact of Brexit on the UK’s standing in the world, and the reaction of EU leaders to his speech at the Tory conference comparing the EU to the USSR, but he did demonstrate how to perform an effective clean-hands tackle when he was asked if he blamed Boris Johnson for the continuing incarceration of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. He did not want to reply, he said - because everyone makes mistakes. | |
| Dominic Raab: Raab was not particularly convincing when trying to defend his record as Brexit secretary (see this Twitter thread from the Telegraph’s James Crisp for the counter view) and Raab’s claim that citizens’ assemblies are some sort of Venezuelan anti-democratic abomination (see 12.38pm) is just bizarre. (They have used them in Ireland too.) But he was the only candidate firmly promising tax cuts in an emergency Brexit budget, regardless of whether or not the UK was heading for a no-deal. (See 12.32pm.) That may go down well with Tory voters. | |
| Michael Gove: Gove was the only candidate who managed to get a laugh at the hustings, and his treatment of Owen Bennett, the journalist who has written the biography with the cocaine revelation that nearly derailed his campaign, was gracious. He was reluctant to say any more about his use of drugs, his account of his critique of the Good Friday agreement was partial (in fact, he was so hostile to the GFA he compared it to appeasement), but he provided one of the smartest answers to the Trump question. (See 12.54pm.) | |
| Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, is also having to clarify the response he gave at the press gallery hustings to a question about President Trump’s tweet attacking the London mayor Sadiq Khan. These are from Sayeeda Warsi, the former chair of the Conservative party. | Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, is also having to clarify the response he gave at the press gallery hustings to a question about President Trump’s tweet attacking the London mayor Sadiq Khan. These are from Sayeeda Warsi, the former chair of the Conservative party. |
| Ive never shied away from calling out my colleagues for bigotry and racism- however having just spoken to @Jeremy_Hunt about his comments he has assured me that he abhors Katie Hopkins, her disgusting views and everything she stands for 1/2 @aljwhite @ChrisMasonBBC @alexwickham https://t.co/eDvVVXt2WZ | Ive never shied away from calling out my colleagues for bigotry and racism- however having just spoken to @Jeremy_Hunt about his comments he has assured me that he abhors Katie Hopkins, her disgusting views and everything she stands for 1/2 @aljwhite @ChrisMasonBBC @alexwickham https://t.co/eDvVVXt2WZ |
| He believes the the term Londonistan is offensive and would never endorse sentiments that try and frame Londons knife crime challenge as a racial or religious phenomenon.We should always call out racism but also important to allow people to clarify and judge them accordingly 2/2 | He believes the the term Londonistan is offensive and would never endorse sentiments that try and frame Londons knife crime challenge as a racial or religious phenomenon.We should always call out racism but also important to allow people to clarify and judge them accordingly 2/2 |
| To be fair to Hunt, the answer he gave at the hustings sounded like an endorsement of Trump’s Twitter message (that London needed a new mayor because Khan was a “disaster) not Katie Hopkins’s “Londonistan” reference. | To be fair to Hunt, the answer he gave at the hustings sounded like an endorsement of Trump’s Twitter message (that London needed a new mayor because Khan was a “disaster) not Katie Hopkins’s “Londonistan” reference. |
| At the Tory leadership hustings all the candidates were asked about President Trump’s decision to retweet a Katie Hopkins tweet approvingly, adding a message saying Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, has been a disaster. | At the Tory leadership hustings all the candidates were asked about President Trump’s decision to retweet a Katie Hopkins tweet approvingly, adding a message saying Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, has been a disaster. |
| LONDON needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster - will only get worse! https://t.co/n7qKI3BbD2 | LONDON needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster - will only get worse! https://t.co/n7qKI3BbD2 |
| In his reply Rory Stewart, the international development secretary, said that as a former diplomat he thought it was best to make criticisms of your allies in private. He implied that he agreed with Trump’s criticisms of Khan’s record as London mayor, but thought he was wrong to tweet about it. (See 11.34am.) | In his reply Rory Stewart, the international development secretary, said that as a former diplomat he thought it was best to make criticisms of your allies in private. He implied that he agreed with Trump’s criticisms of Khan’s record as London mayor, but thought he was wrong to tweet about it. (See 11.34am.) |
| But after the hustings Stewart posted this on Twitter - disowning the “Khan’s Londonistan” line used by Hopkins. | But after the hustings Stewart posted this on Twitter - disowning the “Khan’s Londonistan” line used by Hopkins. |
| I 100% disagree with both the language and the sentiment of the last sentence of this tweet. Can all candidates please confirm the same https://t.co/cx6gapQExQ | I 100% disagree with both the language and the sentiment of the last sentence of this tweet. Can all candidates please confirm the same https://t.co/cx6gapQExQ |
| One of the most interesting lines in the hustings came when Sajid Javid, the home secretary, said that he went into banking because it was more meritocratic than other professions open to him. Javid was responding a question about why Rory Stewart seemed to be the candidate with the most momentum. | One of the most interesting lines in the hustings came when Sajid Javid, the home secretary, said that he went into banking because it was more meritocratic than other professions open to him. Javid was responding a question about why Rory Stewart seemed to be the candidate with the most momentum. |
| Javid started by saying that he did not have an elite education, like Rory Stewart. He was not a member of a debating society at Oxford. But he was getting better as a communicator, he said. He went on: | Javid started by saying that he did not have an elite education, like Rory Stewart. He was not a member of a debating society at Oxford. But he was getting better as a communicator, he said. He went on: |
| I might not be the most confident debater, I might not be the most confident speaker. But I think what people want to see is someone who is genuine, who is honest, who has answers and experience of life, real life, life in business. | I might not be the most confident debater, I might not be the most confident speaker. But I think what people want to see is someone who is genuine, who is honest, who has answers and experience of life, real life, life in business. |
| The reason I got into banking, one of the reasons, is because for a young Asian like me, most Asians, they go into jobs that you need to take an exam for, like chartered accountant, dentist - it’s not because that’s what their parents think is the only thing open to them - the reason that happens is because their parents feel that discrimination is so inevitable in professions where you don’t have to take exams that the best way to get in is to have a piece of paper [showing you are qualified for the job]. So I did banking because it’s much more meritocratic. | The reason I got into banking, one of the reasons, is because for a young Asian like me, most Asians, they go into jobs that you need to take an exam for, like chartered accountant, dentist - it’s not because that’s what their parents think is the only thing open to them - the reason that happens is because their parents feel that discrimination is so inevitable in professions where you don’t have to take exams that the best way to get in is to have a piece of paper [showing you are qualified for the job]. So I did banking because it’s much more meritocratic. |
| Javid also said he thought Stewart’s problem was that he was spending too much time appealing to Labour voters rather than Conservative votes. He also said the public did not want to see a competition between Boris Johnson and Stewart, two people who both went to the country’s most elite school (Eton). | Javid also said he thought Stewart’s problem was that he was spending too much time appealing to Labour voters rather than Conservative votes. He also said the public did not want to see a competition between Boris Johnson and Stewart, two people who both went to the country’s most elite school (Eton). |
| And here’s another story from the hustings, filed by the Press Association. | And here’s another story from the hustings, filed by the Press Association. |
| Tory leadership hopefuls Rory Stewart and Sajid Javid believe they have the required number of supporters to survive Tuesday’s second round of voting. | Tory leadership hopefuls Rory Stewart and Sajid Javid believe they have the required number of supporters to survive Tuesday’s second round of voting. |
| Stewart managed to secure just 19 votes in the first ballot and Javid had 23 - both short of the 33 required to stay in the race after the second vote. | Stewart managed to secure just 19 votes in the first ballot and Javid had 23 - both short of the 33 required to stay in the race after the second vote. |
| But the pair told journalists at a special hustings in Westminster that they were confident of remaining in the contest to be the next prime minister. | But the pair told journalists at a special hustings in Westminster that they were confident of remaining in the contest to be the next prime minister. |
| They are a long way short of frontrunner Boris Johnson, who picked up 114 votes last week and has since been boosted by the support of former leadership contender Matt Hancock. | They are a long way short of frontrunner Boris Johnson, who picked up 114 votes last week and has since been boosted by the support of former leadership contender Matt Hancock. |
| At the hustings, Stewart said he had the necessary 33 backers to make it through the second round of voting in the contest “if they do what they say”. | At the hustings, Stewart said he had the necessary 33 backers to make it through the second round of voting in the contest “if they do what they say”. |
| The international development secretary suggested he was the one to beat Johnson - and accused the former foreign secretary of making different promises to different MPs. | The international development secretary suggested he was the one to beat Johnson - and accused the former foreign secretary of making different promises to different MPs. |
| “Who is going to be nimble enough, who has the style, who has the approach, who has the way of dealing with the public... I don’t think the answer is going to be pre-scripted answers,” he said. | “Who is going to be nimble enough, who has the style, who has the approach, who has the way of dealing with the public... I don’t think the answer is going to be pre-scripted answers,” he said. |
| Javid, the home secretary, said he was “extremely confident” of getting the required 33 votes. | Javid, the home secretary, said he was “extremely confident” of getting the required 33 votes. |
| “I think there is a growing feeling in the party that when we get to the final two we should have a robust debate between two credible change candidates,” he said. | “I think there is a growing feeling in the party that when we get to the final two we should have a robust debate between two credible change candidates,” he said. |
| “If we don’t get change, people will vote for change in the form of Jeremy Corbyn.” | “If we don’t get change, people will vote for change in the form of Jeremy Corbyn.” |
| Dominic Raab also said he thought he would have enough votes to stay in the contest. | Dominic Raab also said he thought he would have enough votes to stay in the contest. |
| Any candidate getting fewer than 33 votes in the ballot tomorrow will have to drop out. But even if they all hit this threshold, the candidate who comes last will be eliminated anyway. | Any candidate getting fewer than 33 votes in the ballot tomorrow will have to drop out. But even if they all hit this threshold, the candidate who comes last will be eliminated anyway. |
| Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s story about what the Tory election candidates had to say at the press gallery hustings about Donald Trump. | Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s story about what the Tory election candidates had to say at the press gallery hustings about Donald Trump. |
| Hunt defends Trump quoting Katie Hopkins in attack on Sadiq Khan | Hunt defends Trump quoting Katie Hopkins in attack on Sadiq Khan |
| And here is how is story starts. | And here is how is story starts. |
| Jeremy Hunt has vigorously defended Donald Trump for quoting the far-right commentator Katie Hopkins in an attack on the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, as Downing Street declined to condemn the US president’s words. | Jeremy Hunt has vigorously defended Donald Trump for quoting the far-right commentator Katie Hopkins in an attack on the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, as Downing Street declined to condemn the US president’s words. |
| The foreign secretary said that while he would not have used the same words as Trump he would “150% agree” with the overall sentiment. | The foreign secretary said that while he would not have used the same words as Trump he would “150% agree” with the overall sentiment. |
| In contrast, the home secretary, Sajid Javid, said the US president should “stick to domestic politics”. | In contrast, the home secretary, Sajid Javid, said the US president should “stick to domestic politics”. |
| The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said the stance of Hunt and No 10 were “shocking” and showed the Conservative party had a serious problem of Islamophobia. | The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said the stance of Hunt and No 10 were “shocking” and showed the Conservative party had a serious problem of Islamophobia. |
| Q: Do you have any regrets about how Brexit has unfolded, and your role in it? | Q: Do you have any regrets about how Brexit has unfolded, and your role in it? |
| Gove says triggering article 50 without a clear plan was a mistake. | Gove says triggering article 50 without a clear plan was a mistake. |
| During the referendum campaign he said the UK should not trigger article 50 prematurely. | During the referendum campaign he said the UK should not trigger article 50 prematurely. |
| He says he urged Theresa May to adopt a different view of Brexit. She disagreed. | He says he urged Theresa May to adopt a different view of Brexit. She disagreed. |
| But all the leadership candidates who resigned over May’s deal ended up voting for it on 29 March (the third vote on the agreement). | But all the leadership candidates who resigned over May’s deal ended up voting for it on 29 March (the third vote on the agreement). |
| He says his department is the best prepared for no-deal. | He says his department is the best prepared for no-deal. |
| Gove ends by joking that he looks forward to seeing us all weekly (ie, at his prime ministerial press conferences). | Gove ends by joking that he looks forward to seeing us all weekly (ie, at his prime ministerial press conferences). |
| And that’s it. | And that’s it. |
| I will post reaction and a summary soon. | I will post reaction and a summary soon. |
| Q: How would you respond to claims you are not popular with the uncommitted voters the Tories need to win over? | Q: How would you respond to claims you are not popular with the uncommitted voters the Tories need to win over? |
| Gove says when he took charge of Vote Leave he was behind. But he led the campaign, took on the arguments and won. | Gove says when he took charge of Vote Leave he was behind. But he led the campaign, took on the arguments and won. |
| And he says Robert Hayward, the Tory pollster, has highlighted polling showing he and Jeremy Hunt could win over Lib Dem voters. | And he says Robert Hayward, the Tory pollster, has highlighted polling showing he and Jeremy Hunt could win over Lib Dem voters. |
| Q: Do you think dirty tricks were involved in the cocaine story? | Q: Do you think dirty tricks were involved in the cocaine story? |
| Gove says a brilliant journalist got a story. | Gove says a brilliant journalist got a story. |
| Q: Are you on speaking terms with David Cameron? | Q: Are you on speaking terms with David Cameron? |
| Gove says Cameron is in private life now. He says he will not comment on their relationship. But he is looking forward to reading Cameron’s book. He says the public needs to hear more from Cameron. | Gove says Cameron is in private life now. He says he will not comment on their relationship. But he is looking forward to reading Cameron’s book. He says the public needs to hear more from Cameron. |
| Q: Would you have monthly press conferences as PM? | Q: Would you have monthly press conferences as PM? |
| Why so few, says Gove. | Why so few, says Gove. |
| Q: Weekly? | Q: Weekly? |
| Why not? | Why not? |
| Q; What would you do about Jeremy Corbyn? | Q; What would you do about Jeremy Corbyn? |
| Gove says he would fight against Corbyn on behalf of the dispossessed. He says Corbyn is more happy speaking up on behalf of Iran than on behalf of the working class. | Gove says he would fight against Corbyn on behalf of the dispossessed. He says Corbyn is more happy speaking up on behalf of Iran than on behalf of the working class. |
| Q: Given how Brexit has turned out, do you think it would have been better if you had lost? | Q: Given how Brexit has turned out, do you think it would have been better if you had lost? |
| Gove says he never thinks it is good to lose a campaign he is involved in. | Gove says he never thinks it is good to lose a campaign he is involved in. |
| Q: What do you think of the fact you are not now seen as proper Brexiter by some? | Q: What do you think of the fact you are not now seen as proper Brexiter by some? |
| Gove says he discussed this with his mum recently. She said, given all he has done, of course he was a proper Brexiter. He thinks his mum knows best. | Gove says he discussed this with his mum recently. She said, given all he has done, of course he was a proper Brexiter. He thinks his mum knows best. |
| Q: How would you reduce the wealth gap between the north and the south? | Q: How would you reduce the wealth gap between the north and the south? |
| Gove says he would improve transport infrastructure in the north, midlands and south west. | Gove says he would improve transport infrastructure in the north, midlands and south west. |
| And he would also ensure that people can retrain in mid-career. | And he would also ensure that people can retrain in mid-career. |