To the Hurlingham Club, that seat of sporting privilege. Where better to host the 1922 committee’s centenary dinner? Tory grandees, MPs and donors piled in last night to raise a glass to King and cause. ‘In the 100 years of the ‘22’s existence,’ remarked Rishi Sunak, ‘we have had Conservative prime ministers for two-thirds of the time.’ The accompanying hearty roars were testament to the good spirits (and wines) in evidence last night.
While the polls may predict grim things for the Tories come the next election, there was little sign of it within the hall
It’s been a difficult few months for the Tories, with three prime ministers and a whole host of cabinet changes. So it was no surprise then that Sir Graham Brady – the long-standing chairman of the 1922 – sounded a note of caution in his welcome speech, reminding his guests that, for all the media attention on party-infighting, the committee spends ‘most of our time trying to support and advise our leaders’. He added: ‘We all have a common interest in their success. We can, as they say, hang together – or we can hang separately.’ And while there were plenty of old warriors from previous parliamentary parties out in attendance, it was notable that Theresa May was the only former Tory premier to turn up to the long-standing engagement – unlike Major, Cameron, Johnson and Truss.
Still, while the polls may predict grim things for the Tories come the next election, there was little sign of it within the hall, with much talk of the ‘next 100 years’. Eddie Hughes was the compère for a charity fundraiser, channelling the great tradition of the northern music hall act – and was ably assisted by May. And Sir Graham even found room for a little self-deprecatory levity in his speech, joking that the PM ‘might be forgiven for thinking that the 1922 committee is the only enterprise in the country that he would like to see reducing its productivity’. He added: ‘I personally am looking forward to a considerably quieter year. As my local rabbi said during his sermon, “Sir Graham, we are all looking forward to seeing less of you on the television this year”.’
Not for nothing did Sunak open with the words: ‘It’s wonderful to be here tonight with so many colleagues – and not a grey suit in sight.’ Downing Street will be hoping that remains the case…
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