Lib Dems target Hunt for their own Portillo moment
Evening Standard|May 23, 2024
Party aims at big guns as Labour turn fire on Shapps and Mordaunt
Jitendra Joshi
Lib Dems target Hunt for their own Portillo moment

VETERANS of the 1997 election remember the shock fall of Michael Portillo. This time, several Conservative big-hitters are vulnerable with the Liberal Democrats targeting key bricks of the "Blue Wall" across southern England.

Top of the Lib-Dem hitlist for this year's "Portillo moment" is Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who in 2019 won a majority of 8,817 in South West Surrey. That would already be marginal given the state of the polls today and recent by-election results. But boundary changes mean that his new constituency of Godalming and Ash is very much in Opposition sights.

Lib-Dem leader Sir Ed Davey was planting his flag deep in enemy territory today with a visit to Cheltenham, where Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is defending a tiny majority of 981.

The party is even making a play at Surrey Heath, where Michael Gove won a majority of 18,349 last time. It has drawn heart from this month's local elections when it gained ground in former home secretary Suella Braverman's Hampshire backyard.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 23, 2024 من Evening Standard.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 23, 2024 من Evening Standard.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من EVENING STANDARD مشاهدة الكل
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
The London Standard

Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?

Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now

time-read
3 mins  |
November 14, 2024
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
The London Standard

He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world

This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 14, 2024
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
The London Standard

How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining

After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution

time-read
4 mins  |
November 14, 2024
Money is worth less than time'
The London Standard

Money is worth less than time'

He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 14, 2024
London's Roman Amphitheatre
The London Standard

London's Roman Amphitheatre

Guildhall Yard, EC2V

time-read
3 mins  |
November 14, 2024
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
The London Standard

Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere

There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 14, 2024
Do we have to die?
The London Standard

Do we have to die?

One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no

time-read
4 mins  |
November 14, 2024
The London Standard

How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh

From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 14, 2024
London's best festive restaurants
The London Standard

London's best festive restaurants

The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 14, 2024
Rag'n'Bone Man
The London Standard

Rag'n'Bone Man

I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'

time-read
6 mins  |
November 14, 2024