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Penny’s four-letter jibe at Tory comms

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It was Pendemonium last night at the Tory conference as Penny Mordaunt toured the evening circuit, following her recent leadership bid. Adoring fans met her at every turn, with one remarking to Mr S ‘she’s what we could have won!’ At the midnight reception for Conservatives in Communication, dozens swarmed the Leader of the House, rapturously hanging on her every word. And Mordaunt was clearly enjoying the attention, joking to the audience of hacks, lobbyists and spinners:

It’s been a long day. What have we learned so far in conference? We’ve learned our policies are great but our comms is shit!

That’ll go down well in No. 10. Asked ‘On a scale of one to ten how confident are you that Liz Truss will be the leader that takes us into the next election?’ Mordaunt referenced her support for Truss in the leadership, saying ‘I’m confident, I wouldn’t have backed her if I wasn’t confident that she could do this.’ Less than an hour later and news of the 45p tax U-turn broke.

Questioned by Mr S if she’d consider running again for Tory leader after her bruising experience this summer, Mordaunt told the crowd:

Folks we have had enough political gymnastics right, we have had enough high drama, we’ve had quite enough leadership contest to last us a very long time. I know it’s controversial but we need a period of stability, where we can really get down to the things about delivering for the people of this country. So no, calmness please, keep calm, carry on, let’s get focused on the job that the public need us to.

So, not a no then? Given the reception she got, there’s quite a few who will back her again…

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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