There is not much enthusiasm for the prospect of a Theresa May premiership. Quite a few MPs I’ve spoken to in the last week sighed when they acknowledged that they are voting for her to become Tory leader. They are resigned to it. In contrast, Andrea Leadsom supporters are evangelical in their enthusiasm.
But Leadsom will have a job stopping May now. In the first round of voting today it is clear that May is running away with the contest, garnering more than half of the votes from Conservative MPs. Liam Fox goes out and Stephen Crabb has pulled out too. Both have announced they are backing May. The scores on the doors were as follows:
Theresa May: 165
Andrea Leadsom: 66
Michael Gove: 48
Stephen Crabb: 34
Liam Fox: 16
May’s appeal rests on her experience and the notion that it is possible to see her in a room negotiating credibly with German Chancellor, and Europe’s powerbroker, Angela Merkel. Increasingly, however May’s strongest card may end up being that as a Remainer who accepts Brexit she can offer the country the prospect of some national unity (beyond the two hardline Leave and Remain extremes) after the nastiness (nasty party anyone?) of recent weeks.
It is fashionable to say that Tory members are Brexity at all costs and won’t care about national unity when they choose. I wonder.
