Badenoch’s team briefed yesterday that they were “slightly concerned at possible narrowing of the race… ConHome poll tomorrow rumoured to be positive for Jenrick.” At which point Deputy Editor Henry Hill made clear that he was the only one with the ability to see the score, and even he hadn’t checked it…
The final event in ConHome’s closely-watched leadership polling series has Kemi leading by 24 points at 55%. Jenrick sits on 31% and 14% say they don’t know. Kemi is up 4 points from the beginning of September, Jenrick is down 3. A decisive lead. The poll is of 828 members – the largest number so far…
Jenrick is giving a speech on foreign policy and defence this morning. He better hope it makes an impression…
The Tories have been updating their merchandise selection recently. Now that the iconic Keir Starmer Flip Flops have been discontinued…
There’s some brass neck on display as the Party quietly adds the 2024 manifesto, dubbed “The Onward Manifesto,” to its shop. For £10.99 the policies that dispatched 11 cabinet ministers (the most in history) and secured the worst Tory defeat in their parliamentary history could be yours. Please allow up to five days for delivery… or maybe fourteen years…
While Tory leadership hopefuls give exalted speeches the central party machine is running on fumes. Guido hears Matt Lane and Gareth Fox, both top-level staff in the Candidates Department, took voluntary redundancy and are out of the door. The same goes for the vast remainder of the team…
The department is naturally responsible for sourcing Tory candidates for election and its representatives get sent to association selection meetings to oversee events. A hiring round is in order shortly but HQ sources say the coffers are rather empty…
Co-conspirators report a large number of CCHQ staff are still off on holiday. Meanwhile, the party’s break clause on its pricey 4 Matthew Parker Street headquarters is fast approaching. Tory bean-counters might be minded to trigger it…
While the Tories present no opposition to Starmer’s government and dig in for the long leadership campaign, there are rumbling in other parts of CCHQ. The election for Chairman of the Tory National Convention is running concurrently – the little-publicised role heads up the volunteer wing of the party and sits on the central board. Chairmen are elected for three year terms and subject to reselection every year…
Centrally favoured choice Julian Ellacott has pitched himself as the pick of the ‘party machine’ and was expected to slot into the role without opposition. What is usually a CCHQ coronation is now being challenged for the first time in years by Hackney PPC Joanna Reeves, presenting herself as a disruptor. Expect more challenges in the months to come as the disparate party battles over its direction…
As Sunak and Starmer passionately agree with each other at PMQs, the last flicker of fight in the Tory Party is snuffed out. The Starmer flip flops – gone…
You heard that right. The iconic Keir Starmer Flip Flops are not only out of stock, they are out of production. They were the crowning jewel of the Conservatives’ merchandise offer and no doubt a key component of their election 2024 strategy:
“In three years of rudderless leadership, Keir Starmer has had more flip flops than Bondi beach and more launches than NASA. Whether it’s small boats or the economy, Labour has a ‘liable to change’ leader who will flip his position if the politics flop to suit him. So these one-of-a-kind sandals are the perfect present for all fans of flip flops.”
Now it is confirmed to Guido that the Tory Party shop is running down the stock. The last flop has been flipped…
Tom Tugendhat has officially launched today with a minimalist video. His campaign website went live last night. This morning it’s a game of spot the difference…
Did someone on Team Tom work out that the acronym was T-U-R-D? Keeping on top of the mischief…
