"Let's be more normal," said James Cleverly. Then grinned to show he didn't really mean it. After all, if you are appealing for votes to the minuscule sliver of society that attends Tory conference, it's probably best not to antagonise the hall by being against weird people.
Facing the Birmingham stage was the electorate that will pick the next leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition and perhaps future prime minister. Elderly, mainly white, outmoded in speech and dress. A “deatherendum” unfolding. As Robert Jenrick unkindly observed, a sixth of Tory supporters won’t survive to vote in the next election. Some looked as if they might not last the conference.
The four contestants were introduced by chief whip Stuart Andrew, who joked that he might bump them off, like Francis Urquhart in the original House of Cards. That won a titter, not least from Michael Gove and George Osborne, two veterans of Tory-style games of murder in the dark. For three days, the contestants for the Conservative leadership have exhibited all the gravitas of four drunks shouting in the back of a passing Uber.
Finally, it was the climax of the week, the chance to pose on stage like an actual leader with an audience of 1,900 and show their real selves. First up was Tom Tugendhat, widely portrayed as the most grown-up, though he chose not to parade those attributes. The lectern was removed, signalling he would “do a Cameron” and speak without notes. A campaign video then showed images of Tom, clad in khaki, serving in Afghanistan, gun at the ready.
Denne historien er fra October 03, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra October 03, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Tuchel left with big calls to make after Carsley refresh
No pressure, Thomas. Lee Carsley hands over to Thomas Tuchel promising to give England’s next manager a comprehensive debrief on the three autumn camps but perhaps also elevating expectations. Not so much with the results – promotion in the Nations League was anticipated for a team ranked fourth in the world and who reached the final of Euro 2024 – as with his assessment of England’s prospects for the time covered by Tuchel’s 18-month deal.
Wiegman calls up uncapped trio for injury-hit Lionesses
England manager Sarina Wiegman is confident Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Ruby Mace can both make the most of their first senior call-ups to an injury-hit squad.
Wales promoted as Cullen double freezes out Iceland
Wales won Nations League promotion as Liam Cullen’s first two international goals helped them to a 4-1 victory over Iceland.
Retail bosses gifted excuse for when things go wrong
It’s not just British farmers who are hacked off by the latest Budget some of the biggest names in retail have now joined forces to send one of those angry, multi-signature letters to the chancellor, scolding her for the imminent tax hikes coming their way.
Jaguar pounces on new logo
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OF UNSOUND MIND
A disquieting mood permeates the BBC's 'The Listeners', the complex story of a teacher whose life unravels after she starts hearing a ceaseless, mysterious hum, writes Nick Hilton
It's grit over gloss in photo show's eye on the Eighties
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Publicly-owned rail may not get us back on right track
Nationalisation is often touted as a golden ticket to a better train service. Simon Calder is less optimistic it will work
CAFFEINE FIX
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Longing and loss: our era of British cinematic elegance
It is four decades since A Room with a View’ made Merchant Ivory a household name. Sarah Sands recalls a world in which her brother Kit and her then husband Julian were central
