The Conservatives have whittled their leadership contest down to four candidates in the second MP’s ballot. Mel Stride (Central Devon/Conservatives) was knocked out yesterday having gained only 13.4% of the votes.
Stride sat just behind James Cleverly (Braintree/Conservatives) and Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge/Conservatives) in joint third place, who both got 17.6% of the vote. In first place was Robert Jenrick (Newark/Conservatives) with 27.7% of the votes.
Mel Stride is standing for the Conservative leadership on a wordy platform, that is according to his campaign website.
He’s iterated a complete vision of a better party based along the lines of his leadership. The question is over what he can bring to the table.
He represents Central Devon, typically a place known for old age. His experience in politics has served an ill-fitting reputation well. His ambition, however, is to lead a political party to power.
His secular experience is in the line of work the party is known for; conferences, publishing, and business activities. It stands him well with members, but would it count towards a general election?
James Cleverly is standing to be leader of the Conservative party on an eerily reminiscent platform. It’s all about unity, fighting off Labour, and delivering results.
However, his mini-manifesto is a bundle of contradictions. He pledges to lower taxes and raise defence spending. He promises to shrink the state and prosper a free and fair society.
It’s not a coherent plan on the surface of it. Maybe a plunge into the deep end of politics will change things. It can shape a leader in the long term.