Runners and riders for the Downing Street Cup

This is not quite a parochial post as the Leader chosen by the 160,000 members of the Conservative Party will also be the Prime Minister – so everyone has an interest in these hustings. Here are my initial opinions

Mediocity is one of the Frech bourgouis virtues (Assiduite, Economie, Mediocrite, Conjugalite, Tenacite, Optomisme, Dynamisme, Modernite excuse the lack of accents) but it’s never been an English one. Yet this field of runners has more mediocre, almost unrecognisable, candidates than any other I can remember. And a good deal of utterly unrealistic self-love from those who have absolutely no chance.

Boris Johnson – Best election-winner but a man with flaws. He frightens the EU and is the biggest obstacle to the Brexit Party’s ambitions. Can he be trusted to deliver? That’s the question

Dominic Raab – Bland and clean with good Brexit credentials but does he have leadership charisma – the sort that comforts Remainers and wins Conservative voters back to the fold?

Michael Gove – Pretty well loathed by the public for being a didactic arse and by Tory Brexiteers for betraying Boris, his loyalty to May will not have helped him. No electoral charisma, a cold technocrat. Might make a decent Chancellor so long as he is sackable.

Andrea Leadsom – Decent all-rounder with a spine who was not afraid to stand up to the sanctimonious dwarf. Sufficient distance from May to be credible. But however unfair, illogical and plain wrong it may be, I have a feeling in my water that being a woman may disadvantage her.

Jeremy Hunt - Another bland and clean minister of indeterminate age indeterminate accomplishments and indeterminate ability. I can’t recall a single interesting thing about him.

Penny Mordaunt -  I like Penny. A lot. Her maiden speech still stands out for warmth, real humour, intelligence and a finely judged use of opportunity without seeming forward. She has myriad sterling qualities. However, the one she lacks – through no fault of her own – is ministerial / cabinet experience. Our next Leader.

Rory Stewart – The Party’s fantasist – both with a record of making stuff up and the delusion that he is electable. Said to be an original thinker. He has a weird face.

Sajid Javid – Clean and bland and calculating. He’s nursed his career with an eye to the top spot and puts his credentials on public display in a noticeable way. But what does he believe in, apart from himself?

Amber Rudd -  Just No. Her delusion that she can partner with Boris is pure unrealistic fantasy, just like her support of May’s treasonous deal

David Lidington – David would win prizes for mediocrity. If Blandness were an Olympic event, he’d take gold.

Matthew Hancock – Who?

James Cleverly – Another of the Dulwich School hopefuls. A real crawler. No real ability.

Steve Baker – A competent man with real beliefs. Also a trained engineer and ex-RAF officer. Ideologically sound. Superb ministerial material – but does he connect with voters?

Esther McVey – Again, a strong and capable personality with her feet on the ground. Much respect. Again, good cabinet material but does she have a natural sense of humour? Humour is important to me. Not essential, but I find those that have it are better people.