Optimistic Nicky Morgan is speaking at more fringe events than any other member of the Cabinet this week, kicking off last night with a panel hosted by the group Ambition. She has already effectively kneecapped her chances with the Tory grassroots by telling the HuffPo fringe she would never campaign to leave the EU, under any circumstances:

“I will want to be staying in, other people will want to put forward different views.

[Could you ever imagine yourself campaigning to leave?]

Personally not.”

That would appear to rule out her leadership ambitions…

One minister tells Guido: “I think she’s got no chance. Delusional”. A second minister who Guido text for his thoughts on Morgan’s chances replied simply: “Haha“. And a senior Tory backbencher says:

“I think it is premature and displays a lack of judgment with respect to timing. An unwelcome distraction from the conference.”

NiMo 2020 off to a good start then…