Opinion / Venetia Rainey
And they’re off
So, who’s in? By 17.00 today we will have the definitive list of those who would lead Britain’s Conservative party (not to mention the country) through the most turbulent peacetime period in the nation’s modern history. The winner will be tasked with an all-too-brief period to patch up a deal with the EU before the final (or rather, more final than the last time) Brexit date of 31 October. With 11 vainglorious graspers for this poisoned chalice, it’s a crowded race.
Normally in politics a profusion of candidates means a diversity of opinion or approach – but not here. Frontrunners – former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, his successor Jeremy Hunt, former Brexit minister Dominic Raab and environment minister Michael Gove – are all entertaining the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. The only horse in this race with an original idea where the above is concerned is Rory Stewart, secretary of state for international development. Stewart has suggested a “citizens’ assembly” of 500 members of the public who would put their heads together to find a broader national consensus (we said it was an original idea, not a good idea). But a broad national consensus on the EU is exactly what the UK doesn’t have. Tories will be hoping that the next prime minister – whoever they are – can at least drum one up in their own party.