Hard sums

‘Choice’ is a word that is used liberally in Conservative thinking — whether it be about schools, hospitals or consumer goods. It is when consumers have choice, goes the argument, that providers of goods and services are forced to up their game. Choice brings diversity, inspiring new ideas and allowing for their success. It is not clear that the same rule applies to Conservative leadership elections.

Never before have Conservative MPs been presented with such a broad array of candidates. Ten made it to the first ballot, rather than the more usual four or five. It is hard to argue that the quality of the contest has improved as a result. On two of the most substantial issues — Brexit and the economy — there is a worrying paucity of ideas.

Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab all want to use the threat of no deal to extract a better deal from the EU. There is logic to that, and it should have been Britain’s bargaining position all along, but none has explained how in the current mood of parliament they would avoid their plan B — i.e. an actual no deal — being derailed by a parliament which seems intent on preventing it. Or how they would overcome the civil service’s resistance.

Raab and Esther McVey have both suggested they might prorogue parliament to get there. That would be staggeringly anti-democratic and plans are already afoot in parliament to block such a move.

Andrea Leadsom wants a ‘managed withdrawal’ with a temporary trade deal — something with the EU has ruled out. Jeremy Hunt said he was prepared for no deal but is still undecided as to whether this would constitute political suicide. Matt Hancock wants a time limit on the backstop, which the EU has also ruled out.