The rules agreed for a long campaign for the Conservative leadership election ending on 2 November are a blow to Kemi Badenoch, the shadow housing secretary. She is currently the favourite, and a long campaign is likely to work against the front runner. The last time the party "went long" was in 2005, when Michael Howard stayed on in a deliberate attempt to promote the chances of his chosen ones, David Cameron and George Osborne.
Howard succeeded in his aim, because Cameron, who was given the education brief, embarrassed Tony Blair's government by supporting his school reforms against Labour backbenchers. Cameron then overtook David Davis, the early favourite, by delivering a "no notes" speech at the party's annual conference and winning the vote of party members.
This time, however, it is not obvious that Sunak or other grandees have a candidate in mind. One of the reasons for the long campaign this time is that the party is short of money, and using the party conference as a platform for hustings is a thrifty option. But a long campaign gives someone other than Badenoch – Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly or Priti Patel – a chance to shine.
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Where was the Reform UK manifesto, Our Contract With You, launched? |
Answer at the bottom of today's email |
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At The Independent, nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own mind and aren't afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences. With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. |
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| Essex secondary school broke the law, the Information Commissioner's Office said |
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| National Audit Office has warned of the absence of a strategy to tackle the problem |
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| Ipsos survey finds 47 per cent say NHS the most important issue facing the new government |
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What else you need to know today |
- MPs are about to vote, starting at 7pm, on amendments to the King's Speech: the one to watch calls for the lifting of the two-child limit on benefits – it was tabled by Stephen Flynn of the SNP; the question is how many Labour MPs will vote for it: John McDonnell has said he will; he and other members of the Socialist Campaign Group (27 Labour MPs), plus Rosie Duffield and Emma Lewell-Buck, have signed a similar amendment tabled by Kim Johnson (Labour), but not all of them will vote for an SNP amendment
- The three deputy speakers were elected by MPs this afternoon: Nusrat Ghani and Caroline Nokes for the Conservatives, and Judith Cummins for Labour – because Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, was originally a Labour MP, this means the balance of the Commons is maintained, with a government majority of 174
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Could anything stop Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic candidate? |
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She has the delegates and the money; all the credible alternative candidates have said they won't challenge her, but... Read more |
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Tomorrow inside the Westminster bubble |
Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for |
Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak will face each other at noon for the first Prime Minister's Questions since the election. Will their conciliatory tone since the contest last? Crucially, will Starmer remember not to call Sunak the prime minister this time?
Before that, Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary, and his ministerial team will answer Commons questions from 11.30am.
Nominations from members of the Welsh Senedd for candidates in the Welsh Labour leadership election close at noon, with Eluned Morgan, the health secretary, likely to succeed Vaughan Gething. Nominations for the Conservative Party leadership election will open at 7pm.
Jonathan Ashworth, the former shadow cabinet member who unexpectedly lost his Leicester South seat and is now chief executive of the Labour Together think tank, will guest present LBC's 10am-1pm programme. |
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"That makes great sense, a no-brainer" Former Obama official working on Joe Biden's campaign, on the plan for an early TV debate with Donald Trump, according to Kim Sengupta |
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Quiz answer: Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales |
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