Conservative Party’s Worst-Ever Defeat: The Battle for Leadership

The Conservative Party’s worst-ever defeat in the general election has left the party in disarray, with many questioning the leadership’s decisions that led to the catastrophic outcome. As surviving Conservative MPs seek to grasp the scale of the party’s loss, attention is shifting to the question of how to rebuild the party – starting with its leadership.

Leadership Candidates Emerge

Bookmakers have made Kemi Badenoch, the outgoing secretary for business and trade, the early favorite to succeed Rishi Sunak. Badenoch won her North West Essex constituency despite a 26% drop in the Tory vote share. She holds positions popular with the party’s right on Brexit and gender issues, but is also seen as someone who could unite the flank with the center of the party.

Tom Tugendhat, the centrist MP for Tonbridge, could also emerge as a strong contender. He has served as security minister and previously chaired the foreign affairs select committee. His One Nation conservatism could appeal to the party’s moderates.

Potential Interim Leader

Outgoing Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, previously viewed as the frontrunner among the Tory grassroots, lost her Portsmouth North seat. Former defence secretary Grant Shapps, another figure expected to throw his hat into the ring, was also ousted by Labour in Welwyn Hatfield. Oliver Dowden, the outgoing deputy prime minister, has signalled to friends that he is not keen to take on the mantle of interim leader, believing himself too closely associated with Sunak’s leadership.

Key Players

Other key players in the leadership contest include:

• Priti Patel, the former home secretary who kept her seat in Essex despite a squeeze from both the Labour party and Reform. She has rejected the notion of allying with Nigel Farage but could rival Braverman in appealing to the party’s right.
• Robert Jenrick, a former housing secretary who backed Remain in the 2016 referendum but has since tacked to the right, particularly on immigration.
• James Cleverly, the army reservist who served as foreign secretary and is viewed as a potential unity candidate.
• Jeremy Hunt, the former chancellor who played down suggestions that he could run for the leadership but has earned widespread plaudits for his steady hand at the Treasury.

The Challenge Ahead

The make-up of the humbled parliamentary Tory party, which plunged to just 121 MPs – a dramatic fall from 365 in 2019 – will also have a big impact on the contest. Ninety-five Tory MPs were re-elected, while 26 new arrivals won a seat for the first time. The party’s moderates, led by Hunt, are expected to be well-represented in the parliamentary party, while the membership, which numbers about 175,000, skews significantly more to the right.

A Long and Steep Road to Recovery

The path back to power is long and steep – and far from guaranteed. Former Tory leader William Hague issued a sober warning to colleagues: "Do not imagine that recovery is inevitable."

Conclusion

The Conservative Party’s leadership contest is set to be a bruising battle, with many candidates vying for the top spot. The party’s members, however, are not the only ones with a stake in the outcome. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the UK’s political landscape and the country’s future direction.

FAQs

Q: Who is the early favorite to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader?
A: Kemi Badenoch, the outgoing secretary for business and trade.

Q: Who are the key contenders in the leadership contest?
A: Tom Tugendhat, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, and Jeremy Hunt are among the potential candidates.

Q: What are the key issues that will shape the leadership contest?
A: Brexit, immigration, and the party’s relationship with Nigel Farage are expected to be key themes in the contest.

Q: What is the likelihood of the Conservative Party recovering from its worst-ever defeat?
A: The path to recovery is long and steep, and far from guaranteed.

Author: www.ft.com

Orginal Source link