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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
John Crace

After 13 years in power, who exactly do Tory MPs think ‘the establishment’ is?

Nick Fletcher and Miriam Cates, two New Conservatives, speaking with Gillian Keegan during a Northern Research Group conference in Doncaster last month.
Nick Fletcher (left) and Miriam Cates (right), two New Conservatives, speaking with Gillian Keegan (centre) during a Northern Research Group conference in Doncaster last month. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

They came not to bury Rishi, but to praise him. Of course they did. There’s been no end of Tories queueing up to profess their support for the prime minister in recent days, only to then point out where he was going badly wrong. They’ve even created their own death rattle. The sound of rats leaving a sinking ship. Lashing out even as they face extinction.

On Monday, the newly minted New Conservatives group of 25 MPs elected since the Brexit referendum went public for the first time at an event taking place in the Unherd Club – the Westminster establishment location for anyone who wants to be considered anti-establishment. They claimed to be just like-minded MPs. Men and women merely interested in ensuring their own survival. Though that looks unlikely, given the talent on show.

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