Theresa May has time-limited her premiership in an attempt to save it. She told the 1922 Committee this evening that, ‘In my heart I would have liked to lead the party into the next election (partly because of what happened last time). But I realise that the party would like a different leader to take them into that election.’ I am told that this was the most emotional and personal part of her speech.
In the questions, Adam Holloway pressed her on what would happen if an election happened within the next 12 months—the period from which May will be immune from a leadership challenge if she wins tonight. I am told that her answer was simply that it was her job to ensure that there wasn’t an election in this time. May also made clear at the start of the meeting that she would not be calling a snap election as a way out of this Brexit impasse.
May talked about her service to the party and Tory values, which she listed as security, freedom, aspiration and opportunity.
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