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| Most Tory members care more about delivering Brexit than preserving union, poll suggests - live news | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Paul Crowther, the man who threw a milkshake over Nigel Farage during a city centre walkabout, has been sentenced to a 150 hours unpaid work, the Press Association reports. He has also been ordered to pay £350 in compensation to Farage for damage to a lapel microphone and for suit cleaning. Crowther admitted common assault and criminal damage. | |
| From the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman | |
| 1) No hack really knows the nos2) Hunt/Gove probably still ahead in 40-50 range3) If Javid short of 33 and Stewart over4) either Hunt/Gove do a deal or5) Rory could be taking on Boris6) Boris should beat him but he’s a disruptor and Boris has never been out disrupted before | |
| Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP who pushed for a rethink of government policy on European citizens’ rights post-Brexit, said it was no surprise that Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator rejected the UK proposal. | Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP who pushed for a rethink of government policy on European citizens’ rights post-Brexit, said it was no surprise that Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator rejected the UK proposal. |
| In the House of Commons later today, he will use an urgent question to call on the government to launch a UK taskforce to address the issue. He told the Guardian: | In the House of Commons later today, he will use an urgent question to call on the government to launch a UK taskforce to address the issue. He told the Guardian: |
| “The UK government needs to do a lot lot more. Simply to write a letter to Barnier and expect a positive response is not good enough. The government have not been trying enough to secure EU citizens’s rights.” | “The UK government needs to do a lot lot more. Simply to write a letter to Barnier and expect a positive response is not good enough. The government have not been trying enough to secure EU citizens’s rights.” |
| Costa, whose parents immigrated from Italy to the UK, was forced to resign as parliamentary private secretary to the Scotland secretary, David Mundell, in February after tabling the amendment to ringfence EU citizens’ right, against what was then government policy. | Costa, whose parents immigrated from Italy to the UK, was forced to resign as parliamentary private secretary to the Scotland secretary, David Mundell, in February after tabling the amendment to ringfence EU citizens’ right, against what was then government policy. |
| He won unanimous backing in the house and is now calling for a taskforce to be set up to secure all rights of EU citizens in the event of no deal. He also wants those citizens to be able to simply declare they are living and settled in the UK rather than be forced to apply to remain in the UK under the Home Office’s settled status scheme. | He won unanimous backing in the house and is now calling for a taskforce to be set up to secure all rights of EU citizens in the event of no deal. He also wants those citizens to be able to simply declare they are living and settled in the UK rather than be forced to apply to remain in the UK under the Home Office’s settled status scheme. |
| Although Barnier rebuffed the UK government, it is widely accepted that the European commission does not have the power to ringfence EU citizens’ rights even if it could re-open the withdrawal agreement. This is because the power over issues such as healthcare and social benefits is a national competency, and Brussels cannot order member states to do a deal. | Although Barnier rebuffed the UK government, it is widely accepted that the European commission does not have the power to ringfence EU citizens’ rights even if it could re-open the withdrawal agreement. This is because the power over issues such as healthcare and social benefits is a national competency, and Brussels cannot order member states to do a deal. |
| “Never before in peacetime have the rights of innocent millions of people been put on the table, that’s 1.2 million in the EU and 3.6 million in the UK,” Costa told the BBC. | “Never before in peacetime have the rights of innocent millions of people been put on the table, that’s 1.2 million in the EU and 3.6 million in the UK,” Costa told the BBC. |
| The ConservativeHome website conducts regular surveys of Conservative party members, including covering who they would like as their next leader. According to the latest, published today, 55% of members want Johnson – his highest ever score in these tables. Rory Stewart is in second place, but he is well behind, on just 16%, followed by Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid, all in single figures. | The ConservativeHome website conducts regular surveys of Conservative party members, including covering who they would like as their next leader. According to the latest, published today, 55% of members want Johnson – his highest ever score in these tables. Rory Stewart is in second place, but he is well behind, on just 16%, followed by Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid, all in single figures. |
| These are from the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn. | These are from the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn. |
| Which Tory contenders will get chopped tonight? Up to 3:* Javid looked likeliest to go overnight, but I'm told he's now "very close" to hitting 33. One Tory MP even rang him straight after his strong @BBCr4today interview to commit. He was buying coffee in Pret at the time (1) | Which Tory contenders will get chopped tonight? Up to 3:* Javid looked likeliest to go overnight, but I'm told he's now "very close" to hitting 33. One Tory MP even rang him straight after his strong @BBCr4today interview to commit. He was buying coffee in Pret at the time (1) |
| * Team Raab are confident he has the 33, "if they all do what they say", but they don't expect to survive the 3rd ballot on Weds.* Stewart was on a firm 28 last night, and still needs some hopefuls to fully commit this afternoon. This is insightful; (2)https://t.co/qFFnvhSAc4 | * Team Raab are confident he has the 33, "if they all do what they say", but they don't expect to survive the 3rd ballot on Weds.* Stewart was on a firm 28 last night, and still needs some hopefuls to fully commit this afternoon. This is insightful; (2)https://t.co/qFFnvhSAc4 |
| This is from David Gauke, the justice secretary, who is backing Rory Stewart. | This is from David Gauke, the justice secretary, who is backing Rory Stewart. |
| A question for my colleagues who:- want the leadership candidates properly tested- believe we should leave the EU with a deal- want a great communicator capable of pulling off a surprise with the membership ...... how would you feel if @RoryStewartUK got 32 votes tonight? | A question for my colleagues who:- want the leadership candidates properly tested- believe we should leave the EU with a deal- want a great communicator capable of pulling off a surprise with the membership ...... how would you feel if @RoryStewartUK got 32 votes tonight? |
| In a Coffee House blogpost last night, Fraser Nelson, the Spectator editor, suggested the Boris Johnson camp might lend some votes to Jeremy Hunt to ensure Hunt makes it through to the final two rather than Michael Gove, an opponent seen as more of a threat. Nelson says: | In a Coffee House blogpost last night, Fraser Nelson, the Spectator editor, suggested the Boris Johnson camp might lend some votes to Jeremy Hunt to ensure Hunt makes it through to the final two rather than Michael Gove, an opponent seen as more of a threat. Nelson says: |
| At the hustings held by the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs this evening, the question wasn’t who was going to win but who should be sent to put Boris Johnson through his paces before he wins. Word is that Team Boris is lending about 15 votes to Jeremy Hunt, who he’d most like to go up against. Which isn’t much: Boris is understood to have over 150 supporters now – so he could lend 40 votes to Hunt if he wanted. But he is more likely to keep the number low so the vote-lending isn’t obvious. | At the hustings held by the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs this evening, the question wasn’t who was going to win but who should be sent to put Boris Johnson through his paces before he wins. Word is that Team Boris is lending about 15 votes to Jeremy Hunt, who he’d most like to go up against. Which isn’t much: Boris is understood to have over 150 supporters now – so he could lend 40 votes to Hunt if he wanted. But he is more likely to keep the number low so the vote-lending isn’t obvious. |
| Ignoring the first rule of journalism (the editor is always right – at least, she always is at the Guardian), James Forsyth, the Spectator’s political editor, says he’s not convinced. | Ignoring the first rule of journalism (the editor is always right – at least, she always is at the Guardian), James Forsyth, the Spectator’s political editor, says he’s not convinced. |
| Am wary of the idea that the Boris camp is lending anyone votes, they think that the size of his mandate—both from MPs and members—is going to be key in determining how much authority he can exert over the parliamentary party | Am wary of the idea that the Boris camp is lending anyone votes, they think that the size of his mandate—both from MPs and members—is going to be key in determining how much authority he can exert over the parliamentary party |
| Turning back to polling, Opinium has published the results of a poll of people who watched at least some of the Channel 4 Tory leadership candidates debate on Sunday night. Among those who watched at least some of it, Rory Stewart was seen as the winner. | Turning back to polling, Opinium has published the results of a poll of people who watched at least some of the Channel 4 Tory leadership candidates debate on Sunday night. Among those who watched at least some of it, Rory Stewart was seen as the winner. |
| 33% of those who watched, think Rory Stewart performed best in the #C4LeadershipDebate, with Jeremy Hunt coming second (18%) #ToryLeadershipContest #ToryLeadershipDebate pic.twitter.com/IPuDvr9wi9 | 33% of those who watched, think Rory Stewart performed best in the #C4LeadershipDebate, with Jeremy Hunt coming second (18%) #ToryLeadershipContest #ToryLeadershipDebate pic.twitter.com/IPuDvr9wi9 |
| But Stewart was getting a lot of his support in this survey from Lib Dem and Labour backers. Among Tory supporters he was only narrowly ahead of Jeremy Hunt, the poll suggests. | But Stewart was getting a lot of his support in this survey from Lib Dem and Labour backers. Among Tory supporters he was only narrowly ahead of Jeremy Hunt, the poll suggests. |
| Rory Stewart has large leads amongst voters from other parties. In particular, 2017 Liberal Democrat voters backed his performance in the #C4LeadershipDebate (59% think he performed the best), and coming top amongst 2017 Tory voters. #ToryLeadershipContest pic.twitter.com/xPEWgTPsOP | Rory Stewart has large leads amongst voters from other parties. In particular, 2017 Liberal Democrat voters backed his performance in the #C4LeadershipDebate (59% think he performed the best), and coming top amongst 2017 Tory voters. #ToryLeadershipContest pic.twitter.com/xPEWgTPsOP |
| The poll also suggests that people reacted particularly badly to Michael Gove. | The poll also suggests that people reacted particularly badly to Michael Gove. |
| Viewers left the #C4LeadershipDebate with a more positive opinion of Rory Stewart and Jeremy Hunt. Michael Gove comes out worst. #ToryLeadershipContest pic.twitter.com/TrnVuugnoO | Viewers left the #C4LeadershipDebate with a more positive opinion of Rory Stewart and Jeremy Hunt. Michael Gove comes out worst. #ToryLeadershipContest pic.twitter.com/TrnVuugnoO |
| (This result may reflect the important but often overlooked point that assessing who “wins” a debate is not straightforward. It is possible to win, in the sense of making arguments that clearly refute those of your opponents, while at the same time coming over as less likeable.) | (This result may reflect the important but often overlooked point that assessing who “wins” a debate is not straightforward. It is possible to win, in the sense of making arguments that clearly refute those of your opponents, while at the same time coming over as less likeable.) |
| Opinium also says Stewart is now ahead on the measure of who would make the best PM. In its recent previous polls, Boris Johnson was ahead on this measure. | Opinium also says Stewart is now ahead on the measure of who would make the best PM. In its recent previous polls, Boris Johnson was ahead on this measure. |
| Best PM? After the #C4LeadershipDebate, for the first time, Rory Stewart leads the #ToryLeadershipContest, followed by Jeremy Hunt & Boris Johnson pic.twitter.com/0Qq6zUyKgX | Best PM? After the #C4LeadershipDebate, for the first time, Rory Stewart leads the #ToryLeadershipContest, followed by Jeremy Hunt & Boris Johnson pic.twitter.com/0Qq6zUyKgX |
| As ever, it is best not to read too much into the findings of a single poll. This one should be treated with particular caution because it is based on a survey of just 610 people. | As ever, it is best not to read too much into the findings of a single poll. This one should be treated with particular caution because it is based on a survey of just 610 people. |
| Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has released the text of a letter (pdf) he sent to Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK “in any [Brexit] scenario” and urging the EU to work with the UK on preparing plans to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU in the event of no deal. This has been welcomed by the3million, which represents the 3 million EU nationals in the UK. | Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has released the text of a letter (pdf) he sent to Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK “in any [Brexit] scenario” and urging the EU to work with the UK on preparing plans to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU in the event of no deal. This has been welcomed by the3million, which represents the 3 million EU nationals in the UK. |
| BREAKING: After meeting the3million & @BritishInEurope the Brexit Secretary @SteveBarclay has written to @MichelBarnier to urge him to seriously consider our compelling case for ring-fencing of #citizensrights under Article 50 no matter what Brexit outcome. pic.twitter.com/UJPsp8H1a8 | BREAKING: After meeting the3million & @BritishInEurope the Brexit Secretary @SteveBarclay has written to @MichelBarnier to urge him to seriously consider our compelling case for ring-fencing of #citizensrights under Article 50 no matter what Brexit outcome. pic.twitter.com/UJPsp8H1a8 |
| YouGov has published a remarkable poll, based on a survey of almost 900 Conservative party members. Officially they are members of the Conservative and Unionist party. But these findings suggest this party no longer exists – because effectively it has already become the Brexit party. | YouGov has published a remarkable poll, based on a survey of almost 900 Conservative party members. Officially they are members of the Conservative and Unionist party. But these findings suggest this party no longer exists – because effectively it has already become the Brexit party. |
| Here are some of the key points. | Here are some of the key points. |
| A majority of Conservative party members care more about delivering Brexit than they do about keeping either Scotland or Northern Ireland in the UK, the poll suggests. By more than two to ne, they would rather have Brexit, even if it led to Scotland becoming independent. They seem to worry a tiny bit more about losing Northern Ireland, but most would accept this as the price of Brexit. A majority of members would also rather have Brexit even if it led to “significant damage” to the UK economy. And amazingly, a majority would still prefer Brexit even if it led to the Conservative party being destroyed. | A majority of Conservative party members care more about delivering Brexit than they do about keeping either Scotland or Northern Ireland in the UK, the poll suggests. By more than two to ne, they would rather have Brexit, even if it led to Scotland becoming independent. They seem to worry a tiny bit more about losing Northern Ireland, but most would accept this as the price of Brexit. A majority of members would also rather have Brexit even if it led to “significant damage” to the UK economy. And amazingly, a majority would still prefer Brexit even if it led to the Conservative party being destroyed. |
| Tory members see the Brexit party as a bigger threat than the Labour party, the poll suggests. | Tory members see the Brexit party as a bigger threat than the Labour party, the poll suggests. |
| Almost half of Conservative members would be happy to have Nigel Farage as their leader, the poll suggests. | Almost half of Conservative members would be happy to have Nigel Farage as their leader, the poll suggests. |
| Which leads to a situation that would once be thought unimaginable. Almost half (46%) of Tory members would be happy to see Nigel Farage - the leader of a rival party - take over the their leadership of their own party https://t.co/9iJKlB292v pic.twitter.com/yYH0XAFYqJ | Which leads to a situation that would once be thought unimaginable. Almost half (46%) of Tory members would be happy to see Nigel Farage - the leader of a rival party - take over the their leadership of their own party https://t.co/9iJKlB292v pic.twitter.com/yYH0XAFYqJ |
| Philip Hammond is so frustrated by Theresa May’s plans to spend billions of pounds on projects to shore up her legacy that he considered resigning, according to government sources. As Rowena Mason reports, the chancellor is unhappy with the prime minister’s decision to set out plans to spend up to £27bn on education over three years, including building new schools and paying teachers higher wages. | Philip Hammond is so frustrated by Theresa May’s plans to spend billions of pounds on projects to shore up her legacy that he considered resigning, according to government sources. As Rowena Mason reports, the chancellor is unhappy with the prime minister’s decision to set out plans to spend up to £27bn on education over three years, including building new schools and paying teachers higher wages. |
| Philip Hammond 'considered quitting over Theresa May spending plans' | Philip Hammond 'considered quitting over Theresa May spending plans' |
| John McDonnell, Hammond’s Labour shadow, says the chancellor should have resigned over the impact of his austerity policies. | John McDonnell, Hammond’s Labour shadow, says the chancellor should have resigned over the impact of his austerity policies. |
| Another example of how far the Tories are cut off from the real world. Instead of resigning because of May’s attempt to spend more on education Hammond should resign because his austerity policies have resulted in the suffering of hungry children in class. https://t.co/rxLfDWinYO | Another example of how far the Tories are cut off from the real world. Instead of resigning because of May’s attempt to spend more on education Hammond should resign because his austerity policies have resulted in the suffering of hungry children in class. https://t.co/rxLfDWinYO |
| Labour has been fined a total of £1,750 for inaccurate quarterly donations reports and an inaccurate spending return for the last general election, the Electoral Commission has said. As the Press Association reports, the elections watchdog also issued a £200 penalty to the Conservative party in Wakefield for the late delivery of its 2017 statement of accounts, which it paid on 23 May. Labour said: “We were happy to clear up these minor administrative issues.” | Labour has been fined a total of £1,750 for inaccurate quarterly donations reports and an inaccurate spending return for the last general election, the Electoral Commission has said. As the Press Association reports, the elections watchdog also issued a £200 penalty to the Conservative party in Wakefield for the late delivery of its 2017 statement of accounts, which it paid on 23 May. Labour said: “We were happy to clear up these minor administrative issues.” |
| Sajid Javid, the home secretary, got the main 8.10 slot on the Today programme. Here are the main points from the interview. | Sajid Javid, the home secretary, got the main 8.10 slot on the Today programme. Here are the main points from the interview. |
| Javid claimed that Rory Stewart, one of his leadership rivals, was effectively the remain candidate. He said: | Javid claimed that Rory Stewart, one of his leadership rivals, was effectively the remain candidate. He said: |
| I think [Stewart’s] effectively telling us that we should remain in the EU and there is a small constituency amongst my colleagues that would rather remain than leave, and I think that is part of the challenge that we have to deal with. And so I think up to a point Rory can attract that support but it’s not going to get us any further. | I think [Stewart’s] effectively telling us that we should remain in the EU and there is a small constituency amongst my colleagues that would rather remain than leave, and I think that is part of the challenge that we have to deal with. And so I think up to a point Rory can attract that support but it’s not going to get us any further. |
| Stewart later posted a tweet saying Javid was wrong. | Stewart later posted a tweet saying Javid was wrong. |
| I’m sure Sajid didn’t mean that. He knows how fiercely and passionately we have both campaigned to get the withdrawal agreement through - and how although I - like he - voted Remain, we have fought together sincerely as fellow Cabinet Ministers for a moderate and pragmatic Brexit https://t.co/r2uKTMW7yi | I’m sure Sajid didn’t mean that. He knows how fiercely and passionately we have both campaigned to get the withdrawal agreement through - and how although I - like he - voted Remain, we have fought together sincerely as fellow Cabinet Ministers for a moderate and pragmatic Brexit https://t.co/r2uKTMW7yi |
| Javid described his own communication skills as “less Homer’s Iliad and more Homer Simpson”. Making the point that he made in the press gallery hustings yesterday, about how he did not have the same elite education as his rivals, Javid said: | Javid described his own communication skills as “less Homer’s Iliad and more Homer Simpson”. Making the point that he made in the press gallery hustings yesterday, about how he did not have the same elite education as his rivals, Javid said: |
| I may have been culture secretary but I don’t have the oratory of Cicero, it’s less Homer’s Iliad and more Homer Simpson. But I try my best to connect and I think it’s very important as a modern Conservative party that we reach out to those modern audiences. | I may have been culture secretary but I don’t have the oratory of Cicero, it’s less Homer’s Iliad and more Homer Simpson. But I try my best to connect and I think it’s very important as a modern Conservative party that we reach out to those modern audiences. |
| This seemed a particular reference to Boris Johnson, who studied classics at Oxford. Javid said it was be a mistake if the final two candidates in the contest ended being very similar. | This seemed a particular reference to Boris Johnson, who studied classics at Oxford. Javid said it was be a mistake if the final two candidates in the contest ended being very similar. |
| If we end up in a situation where the final two, three, four even are people from similar backgrounds with similar life experiences and it will look like a debate at the Oxford Union and I just don’t think that’s healthy for the Tory party. | If we end up in a situation where the final two, three, four even are people from similar backgrounds with similar life experiences and it will look like a debate at the Oxford Union and I just don’t think that’s healthy for the Tory party. |
| Javid said if he were up against Johnson in the final round of the contest, he could “test” him and make him even stronger. Javid explained: | Javid said if he were up against Johnson in the final round of the contest, he could “test” him and make him even stronger. Javid explained: |
| Even if it is Boris [as Tory leader], he needs to be properly tested. There cannot be a coronation. And I think, given my experience outside parliament, 20 years in business/finance, in the nine years I’ve been in parliament, I’ve worked in five government departments, I’ve ran four of them, so I can really test Boris on so many issues, and he will come out an even stronger Boris. That’s good for the whole country. | Even if it is Boris [as Tory leader], he needs to be properly tested. There cannot be a coronation. And I think, given my experience outside parliament, 20 years in business/finance, in the nine years I’ve been in parliament, I’ve worked in five government departments, I’ve ran four of them, so I can really test Boris on so many issues, and he will come out an even stronger Boris. That’s good for the whole country. |
| Normally in a leadership contest candidates set out to defeat their opponents, not help them emerge stronger. The fact that Javid is making an argument like this (and Michael Gove was saying something a a bit similar yesterday) is a sign of how inevitable Johnson’s victory now seems. | Normally in a leadership contest candidates set out to defeat their opponents, not help them emerge stronger. The fact that Javid is making an argument like this (and Michael Gove was saying something a a bit similar yesterday) is a sign of how inevitable Johnson’s victory now seems. |
| From the Spectator’s James Forsyth | From the Spectator’s James Forsyth |
| Both the Stewart and Javid campaigns confident of getting over the 33 vote mark. Something, doesn’t add up… | Both the Stewart and Javid campaigns confident of getting over the 33 vote mark. Something, doesn’t add up… |
| At the press gallery hustings yesterday Rory Stewart, the international development secretary and Tory leadership candidate, was asked if he had ever been in MI6? No, he replied (although he does have a family link – his father was deputy head of the organisation). | At the press gallery hustings yesterday Rory Stewart, the international development secretary and Tory leadership candidate, was asked if he had ever been in MI6? No, he replied (although he does have a family link – his father was deputy head of the organisation). |
| But that answer may not as straightforward as it sounded. Today the Daily Telegraph has splashed on a story (paywall) quoting a Whitehall security source saying Stewart did work as a spy for at least seven years. | But that answer may not as straightforward as it sounded. Today the Daily Telegraph has splashed on a story (paywall) quoting a Whitehall security source saying Stewart did work as a spy for at least seven years. |
| Tuesday’s Daily TELEGRAPH: “Mystery of Stewart’s past links with MI6” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/MuPuM3GluW | Tuesday’s Daily TELEGRAPH: “Mystery of Stewart’s past links with MI6” #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/MuPuM3GluW |
| This morning on the Today programme, Stewart suggested his denial was meaningless. Asked if the law would allow him to say he had been in MI6 if he had been, Stewart replied: | This morning on the Today programme, Stewart suggested his denial was meaningless. Asked if the law would allow him to say he had been in MI6 if he had been, Stewart replied: |
| No, and in fact the law wouldn’t allow newspapers to reveal the identity of intelligence officers. | No, and in fact the law wouldn’t allow newspapers to reveal the identity of intelligence officers. |
| Nick Robinson, the presenter, then put it to Stewart that he could not answer this question, and that he just had to say he served his country. Stewart replied: | Nick Robinson, the presenter, then put it to Stewart that he could not answer this question, and that he just had to say he served his country. Stewart replied: |
| I definitely would say I served my country and if somebody asked me whether I am a spy I would say no. | I definitely would say I served my country and if somebody asked me whether I am a spy I would say no. |
| Robinson then said that that no “might not mean what everybody would mean by no” and Stewart did not challenge this. | Robinson then said that that no “might not mean what everybody would mean by no” and Stewart did not challenge this. |
| Presumably Stewart could have just refused to answer the question yesterday about being a spy, but that would have been taken as confirmation. | Presumably Stewart could have just refused to answer the question yesterday about being a spy, but that would have been taken as confirmation. |
| Good morning - on what will be an exciting day in the Conservative leadership contest. | Good morning - on what will be an exciting day in the Conservative leadership contest. |
| We’ve got two big events. First, the second round of voting by MPs takes place this afternoon. There are six candidates still left in the contest – Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart – and at one least one will be eliminated today (the person who comes last) and possibly more (because anyone not getting at least 33 votes will be out, under a new threshold introduced for this contest). Last week, it looked as though the only real interest would lie in whether Hunt or Gove would clinch the number two slot in the ballot for party members, up against Johnson, who is ahead by a mile. But since the first ballot last Thursday the Johnson and Stewart campaigns have been making impressive gains. At 6pm we might find out: | We’ve got two big events. First, the second round of voting by MPs takes place this afternoon. There are six candidates still left in the contest – Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart – and at one least one will be eliminated today (the person who comes last) and possibly more (because anyone not getting at least 33 votes will be out, under a new threshold introduced for this contest). Last week, it looked as though the only real interest would lie in whether Hunt or Gove would clinch the number two slot in the ballot for party members, up against Johnson, who is ahead by a mile. But since the first ballot last Thursday the Johnson and Stewart campaigns have been making impressive gains. At 6pm we might find out: |
| a) Is Hunt still in second place? | a) Is Hunt still in second place? |
| b) Who’s been forced out? | b) Who’s been forced out? |
| c) Does Stewart have any chance of getting on the final ballot? | c) Does Stewart have any chance of getting on the final ballot? |
| d) Does Johnson look even more unstoppable? | d) Does Johnson look even more unstoppable? |
| And then, about two hours later, we will get the BBC debate featuring all the candidates still in the contest. Debates normally don’t influence campaigns as much as people expect them to, but they can, and this one is eagerly awaited because Johnson, the runaway frontrunner who has largely avoided media scrutiny for months, has agreed to take part. Can any of the candidates upend him in a TV studio? We will find out. | And then, about two hours later, we will get the BBC debate featuring all the candidates still in the contest. Debates normally don’t influence campaigns as much as people expect them to, but they can, and this one is eagerly awaited because Johnson, the runaway frontrunner who has largely avoided media scrutiny for months, has agreed to take part. Can any of the candidates upend him in a TV studio? We will find out. |
| Johnson received a boost this morning when Andrea Leadsom, the former leader of the Commons who was a candidate herself until forced out herself last week, used an LBC interview this morning to endorse him. As LBC reports, she explained her decision like this: | Johnson received a boost this morning when Andrea Leadsom, the former leader of the Commons who was a candidate herself until forced out herself last week, used an LBC interview this morning to endorse him. As LBC reports, she explained her decision like this: |
| I’m going to be backing Boris Johnson for the next prime minister. Essentially, there’s two key reasons. One is I think he is the best placed to get us out of the EU at the end of October. His view and mine are closely aligned there. | I’m going to be backing Boris Johnson for the next prime minister. Essentially, there’s two key reasons. One is I think he is the best placed to get us out of the EU at the end of October. His view and mine are closely aligned there. |
| Secondly, I do believe he is an election winner. He is someone who can bring the country and the party back together and take us forward in a positive way. | Secondly, I do believe he is an election winner. He is someone who can bring the country and the party back together and take us forward in a positive way. |
| And the third thing which is more nuanced really is that he and I share a scepticism about the HS2 project on the grounds of value for money. | And the third thing which is more nuanced really is that he and I share a scepticism about the HS2 project on the grounds of value for money. |
| But he, at the same time, has a big commitment to improving infrastructure in the country to a pro-business agenda that will really get our ecomony to be motoring, which is essential in a post-Brexit world. | But he, at the same time, has a big commitment to improving infrastructure in the country to a pro-business agenda that will really get our ecomony to be motoring, which is essential in a post-Brexit world. |
| Leadsom is a hardline Brexiter and her decision will be a disappointment to Raab, who will need to votes of people like Leadsom if he is to stay in the race. | Leadsom is a hardline Brexiter and her decision will be a disappointment to Raab, who will need to votes of people like Leadsom if he is to stay in the race. |
| Her comments about Johnson’s view on HS2 are also fascinating. As my colleagues Rowena Mason and Jessica Elgot report, there are claims that Johnson has been telling some supporters in private that he opposes the project, while telling others that he will allow it to go ahead. | Her comments about Johnson’s view on HS2 are also fascinating. As my colleagues Rowena Mason and Jessica Elgot report, there are claims that Johnson has been telling some supporters in private that he opposes the project, while telling others that he will allow it to go ahead. |
| Boris Johnson accused of making contradictory Brexit promises to MPs | Boris Johnson accused of making contradictory Brexit promises to MPs |
| Here is the agenda for the day. | Here is the agenda for the day. |
| 9.30am: Theresa May chairs cabinet. | 9.30am: Theresa May chairs cabinet. |
| 1.30pm: Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leadership contender, takes part in a Mumsnet Q&A. | 1.30pm: Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leadership contender, takes part in a Mumsnet Q&A. |
| 3pm: Tory MPs start voting in the second round of the leadership ballot. Voting closes at 5pm, and the result will be announced at about 6pm. | 3pm: Tory MPs start voting in the second round of the leadership ballot. Voting closes at 5pm, and the result will be announced at about 6pm. |
| 8pm: All the Tory leadership candidates left in the contest will take place in a BBC debate chaired by Emily Maitlis. You can submit potential questions on the BBC website here. | 8pm: All the Tory leadership candidates left in the contest will take place in a BBC debate chaired by Emily Maitlis. You can submit potential questions on the BBC website here. |
| As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web, although I will be focusing almost exclusively mostly on the Tory leadership contest and the debate. I plan to post a summary at lunchtime and another at the end of the day. | As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web, although I will be focusing almost exclusively mostly on the Tory leadership contest and the debate. I plan to post a summary at lunchtime and another at the end of the day. |
| You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads. | You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads. |
| If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow. |
| I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. | I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. |
| If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. | If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. |