Three have become two. Not long after yesterday’s Evening Standard hit London’s streets, Daniel Korski dropped out of the race to be the Conservative candidate for mayor, following claims that he groped television producer Daisy Goodwin in Downing Street. Mr Korski denies the allegations, but says they have made it “impossible” for him to carry on.
Such a decision seemed inevitable, given the pressure placed on the former special adviser. But his departure reinforces the question that adorned our front page: have the Tories given up on London?
To disprove it, the Conservatives must not allow this crisis to go to waste. The party has the opportunity to reopen its selection process and draft in a new candidate. One who Londoners not only might be able to pick out of a line-up, but whose values chime with a young, vibrant city. That could be Justine Greening or Rory Stewart but it doesn’t have to be a former Member of Parliament. Tory HQ must use its imagination, show a bit of ambition and make clear that they’re not afraid to pick someone who might sometimes disagree with Number 10.
Otherwise, they risk rolling out the red carpet for a third Sadiq Khan mayoralty by default.
Rwanda setback
Securing value for money ought to lie at the heart of any government policy. That is, it seems, except when it comes to the Rwanda scheme. And ministers faced a further setback this morning as the Court of Appeal ruled that Rwanda is not a safe third country.
The reality is that this is a policy for headlines and moving images rather than to address a serious matter of public policy. The latest Government analysis shows that each illegal migrant sent to Rwanda will cost £169,000. Britain has already paid the country £140 million despite no one having actually departed. The Prime Minister has made stopping ‘small boats’ one of his five key pledges. The Home Secretary says it is her “dream” to deport migrants to Rwanda. They should focus on solutions that work.
Praying for Madonna
She’s not a pop star, a diva, or even an icon: she is simply Madonna. So news that she has been forced to postpone parts of an upcoming tour after spending several days in intensive care has rocked her millions of fans.
Madonna is revered not only for her music but in every decade for being in control of her image, fighting misogyny and, more recently, ageism. Get well soon, Madge.
