Today is the day the four remaining candidates for Conservative party leader will be hoping for their David Cameron moment. Nearly two decades ago, the fresh-faced MP for Witney delivered a speech to the party faithful without notes. And in doing so, thrust himself into the leadership and, ultimately, Downing Street.
So, it is a chance for each candidate to impress, before it is MPs who take part in the new round of voting on October 9 and 10, with the final two facing party members. Of course, it is also a moment of potential peril.
Kemi Badenoch, the one-time heavy favourite, has endured a difficult few days, engaging in controversies ranging from whether maternity pay is “excessive” to ill-judged jokes about imprisoning civil servants. Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick has faced a backlash for suggesting that European human rights law means that UK special forces are “killing rather than capturing” terrorists.
Perhaps the biggest moment will come in the battle between the two establishment candidates, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat, one of which is likely to face Jenrick in the membership ballot. Though, if history is any judge, neither will be a match for the candidate of the Right when the time comes.
A lovely day for a wedding
There was confetti everywhere and champagne corks cascaded out onto the streets as 100 couples got married at Old Marylebone Town Hall yesterday in a mass celebration to mark 100 years of the iconic venue.
The town hall has hosted scores of celebrity weddings over the decades including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr, and Liam Gallagher. But for just £100, it was the special place for ordinary couples tying the knot.
It was not exactly idyllic autumnal weather on Tuesday, as the rain tipped down for hours on end. But as every parent of the bride and groom will have relayed, a wet wedding day is a sign of good luck.
Love, joy, tears and priceless memories – there are worse things to fill the streets of London.
