The rules to elect the new leader of the Conservative Party, and therefore Britain’s next prime minister, have been announced. The accelerated timetable heaps pressure on all contenders and limits the chance for an outsider to catch the eye.
Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, confirmed that hopefuls will require the backing of 20 MPs to make it onto the ballot, with nominations closing this evening. The top two will eventually go forward to a vote of roughly 100,000 party members, with the winner revealed on September 5.
The current debate, based almost solely around who can make the largest promises on cutting taxes, speaks to the unusual and tiny electorate. Candidates know they must first convince their fellow parliamentarians, including many who are highly ideological and naturally concerned with keeping their seats, before facing the membership.
The next stage will see things broaden out though only a little, when the top two make their case to paid-up Tory Party members, who are not necessarily representative of the population at large.
This matters. In order to win over the country, the candidates must speak of more than unfunded tax cuts. We want to know what their plan is to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and what policies they will enact to ensure that our energy is affordable, secure and carbon-free. How will they seek to improve our partnership with the EU? When will they reset relations with London, the engine of the British economy? What more can we do to support Ukraine, cut NHS waiting lists and other urgent issues the nation faces?
Becoming party leader is one thing but it is that broader vision that will determine success or failure in the top job.
BBC’s balancing act
How much is a star worth — and should the BBC be paying it? The age-old question rears its head again today as the Corporation releases its pay awards for top earners.
Some figures do look eye-wateringly high, especially at a time when viewers are seeing inflation eat away at their own pay. Given its funding model, the BBC must maintain a laser-like focus on securing value for money for licence fee payers. There is a balance to be struck, with a recognition that top talent can often go elsewhere. Indeed, many are leaving or having their roles scaled back as the BBC looks to find savings of £1.5 billion over the next five years as a result of the freeze to the licence fee.
It is right that its funding model, and how it spends that money, is scrutinised. At the same time, we want to ensure the BBC has the right talent to continue in its mission to inform, educate and entertain.
Lionesses have lift-off
The Lionesses roared. And roared again. And then another six times on an extraordinary evening. Norway are no minnows. Two-times champions and ranked 11th in the world, England simply played to their potential.
It wasn’t only the 8-0 score, it was a message to the rest of the tournament — we are to be feared. The hope now is that the team can go one step further than the Lions and lift a Euros trophy. The country is behind them.
