Tories divided over leadership contest rules

There had been hope that the Tories would announce the rules and timetable for the party’s leadership contest before the week was out. Then, next week, would-be candidates could seek the required number of nominations to stand and spend the summer recess wooing members as they pleased ahead of knockout rounds in September when parliament returns. However, it has not come to pass. Instead, as things stand, the Tory party can’t agree on a timetable – which doesn’t bode too well for the next task of uniting behind a new leader.

On Thursday, the Conservative party board met for a meeting which stretched to around five hours. Earlier in the week, the 1922 committee had met. Ultimately this is a decision that needs to be made by these MPs. Yet there is disagreement stemming from the various leadership camps as to what the best timetable to select a new leader is. There are some who want to go long – to not rush into a new leader, and potentially aim for a contest that closes in November. These MPs have voiced opposition to the idea of picking the leader either just before party conference or at the event itself. The main argument is that the party needs time to heal and that is the best way to ensure they pick a leader everyone will get behind – go now and the contest could be vicious and bring no closure.

However, the group pushing for a quicker contest argue the party cannot afford to wait until near Christmas, for three reasons. First off, cash. The party is currently low on funds and most donors will not give any more money until they know who the new leader is. ‘If it drags on and on, we could get to a dire place financially,’ warns a party figure. Second, Rishi Sunak. The Prime Minister said he would stay on as an interim leader if it helped his party. But this promise was made on the understanding that it would be a few months at most rather than a job that will drag into the autumn. Finally, events. Tory MPs in the ‘go now’ camp worry that a very long contest means the party will not be able to provide meaningful opposition on political events such as on Rachel Reeves’s first Budget. The hope is for clarity by next week when senior Tories will meet again. ‘Don’t hold your breath,’ warns one figure privy to the internal conversations.