And then there were two. Conservative MPs have put forward Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom as their chosen candidates to lead the party and the country during one of the most significant constitutional periods in UK political history. They have chosen experience in a Home Secretary and fervent commitment to the Brexit cause in a junior minister. And the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom will be a woman – surely something to celebrate.
But the choice should and could have been better. Just a week ago it looked as though a formidable team of Brexiteers would run against Theresa May. Boris Johnson, backed by Michael Gove – and probably Andrea Leadsom – was closing in on an alliance of Brexiteers. A week on and it looks as though we will be led out of the European Union by someone who quietly campaigned to remain in it.
The blame, in the most part, sits incontrovertibly with Michael Gove. His decision to stop supporting Boris Johnson at the last minute, citing concerns with his leadership abilities, triggered a political suicide bomb. Boris Johnson inevitably pulled out of the leadership contest before it had even started and Michael Gove’s reputation was left in tatters. Little if any hope was left of Gove’s leadership bid gaining traction with enough MPs.
It was playground politics, just at the precise time an alliance of committed and optimistic Brexiteers was required. Michael Gove actively – knowingly – decided to splinter this alliance. In effect, as he delivered his damning assessment of Boris Johnson’s leadership credentials and his pitch for the leadership, he put his weight behind Theresa May’s bid for Prime Minister.
There was, of course, a second beneficiary. Out of the political debris, an ambitious 53-year-old former investment banker and a staunch Brexiteer capitalised. But if she is to have a serious say in this leadership contest, Andrea Leadsom needs to assemble a strong team – and fast. Her inexperience in Westminster will weigh heavily on her campaign. Conservative members will need reassurances that her lack of experience can be counterbalanced by a team of allies with vast experience.
She’ll also need the support of more Remainers in order to demonstrate she is capable of unifying the party and healing the wounds from the EU referendum. While Leadsom’s stature has grown since the EU referendum campaign began, she will crucially need time to articulate her message to grassroots Conservatives. She is on safer ground with Brexit, but she will need to outline a succinct, perspicuous plan for negotiations with the EU, alongside a wider manifesto covering a wide breadth of domestic policy issues.
There’s no doubt that the EU referendum result was a colossal democratic statement. The new Prime Minister must soon deliver the instructions of the people to leave the European Union, reaching an agreement which fully reflects the democratic consent of voters. With compassion, courage and intelligence, this must be delivered by a leader who really believes in the opportunities Brexit will create.
Info Angle. 