Whatever the origin or purpose of the vile, defamatory claims aimed at Angela Rayner, whether simply poisonous hate or repulsive distraction, it is hard to believe that these remarks emerged from a vacuum (Angela Rayner hits out at ‘sexism and misogyny’ in politics, 25 April). It is highly unlikely that Tory MPs, however rabid in their ignoble enthusiasms, would risk so much damage if they were not already accustomed to experiencing a favourable, if marginal, reception for their views.
The confidently asserted whispers reported by the Mail on Sunday may have been horrendously misjudged but, as contemptible as they are, it is far more likely that they were miscalculated in their deployment, rather than wholly at odds with what is now an increasingly ugly strain in the Tory party.
