With three weeks still to go before the general election, candidates and advisers have begun lining up behind their preferred contenders, sources said, with some Tory campaigners complaining they are being inundated with messages from leadership hopefuls.
The manoeuvring comes as one poll by YouGov put the Conservatives behind Reform UK for the first time on 18% - a result that would lead to a historic wipeout at next month's election.
The Reform leader, Nigel Farage, claimed yesterday that the poll showed he was now in effect the leader of the opposition, though that job is likely to fall to one of up to a dozen senior Conservatives after the election.
The early favourites include the former home secretaries Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, the trade secretary, Kemi Badenoch, the Commons leader, Penny Mordaunt and the defence secretary, Grant Shapps. Several of those, however, are fighting to keep their seats, leaving the outcome of any contest highly uncertain.
One Conservative adviser said: "There is quite a bit of manoeuvring going on already. Members of the cabinet are texting candidates regularly just to 'check in', while others are already lining up their leadership teams."
The person added: "It can be quite annoying sometimes you wish they would focus more on the general election campaign."
この記事は The Guardian の June 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Guardian の June 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Worst start, 14th in league but ...Ten Hag says United hierarchy 'on board together' with him
Erik ten Hag insisted he was on the same page as the Manchester United hierarchy and said he had received no indication from the owners that he does not retain their support.
tenterhooks Ten Hag on as United draw a blank
Quite what this draw does for Erik ten Hag is unknown but it may just spare him the indignity of what seemed an inevitability had Manchester United slumped to a dam-aging defeat at Aston Villa. Maybe.
Madueke levels but 10-man Forest battle for fiery point
Chelsea played for 26 minutes with an extra player, survived a mass brawl, saw João Félix spurn a late unmissable header and watched two brilliant saves deny goal machine Cole Palmer.
Bluestocking rolls up late for Beckett's poignant Arc victory
Filly triumphs in Europe's most prestigious race after being entered only this week
Vikings cling on after Rodgers fails to deliver
Hobbling veteran unable tolocate his winning touch as Jets lose 23-17 in London
Adieu Antoine Now France will realise Griezmann was undervalued and irreplaceable
Not all of the beaten Bleus headed for the tunnel of the Parc des Princes at the final whistle of France's 3-1 defeat by Italy on 6 September. One of them, Antoine Griezmann, trotted around the whole periphery of the pitch on his own to applaud the crowd.
Post Office CEO to face tough questions at Horizon inquiry
The week ahead is set to be the most keenly watched of the final phase of the longrunning public inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal and the state and culture of the Post Office.
TGI Fridays rescue deal could save 2,000 jobs
Administrators are reportedly finalising a rescue deal for the UK arm of the TGI Fridays restaurant chain in a move that could save more than 2,000 jobs.
Democracy campaigners criticise Tunisian president who is expected to win election
Polls have closed in Tunisia's presidential election as Kais Saied seeks a second term, while his most prominent critics are in prison after his main rival was jailed last month.
'Get a grip' The PM had to act - but it may take more to turn the ship around
In the days running up to Labour party conference one of Keir Starmer's most senior aides took him aside and told him he had to \"get a grip\" of his No 10 operation, after weeks of damaging headlines about tensions within his top team.