Tories unite – for one night, at least

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’.