Suella Braverman decided she wouldn’t compete in the race for a new Tory leader. She has told the media that she’s been branded all sorts of names for not doing so.
Tory Needs a Leader
Since former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped down from their leadership role after the tremendous loss against the Labour Party, a “new leader” is required.
Not Everyone Wants the Lead Role
MPs like Suella Braverman say they won’t do it. While other MPs have eagerly taken the liberty of jumping into the race.
There Were 10 Nominees
Braverman had around 10 nominees in MP support, but she declined.
A Letter to The Times
Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary, has written a letter to the Times in which she explains some of her reasons for not running.
It’s a No
She was clear that the position wasn’t for her based on previous responses from the rest of the Tory party.
“No Point” Doing It
Braverman commented that there “was no point” in her running if her fellow MPs didn’t agree with her “diagnosis” and “prescription.”
The Discord Is Clear to Others
Other parties have noticed the prominent discord brewing within the Tory party, and for some, like Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, it’s an opportunity.
Candidates Running for Conservative Leadership
The Guardian reported about six candidates up for the Tory leadership role. If Suella Braverman was part of the running, she could’ve been seventh on the list. Candidates would succeed the former Tory leader Rishi Sunak.
Mel Stride
Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, served as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Further Education. He also had a role as a leader of The House of Commons in 2019 and as a Financial Secretary to the Paymaster General.
Tom Tugandhat
Tom Tugandhat, a former journalist with a Master’s degree in Islamic studies, Yemen and Arabic is another candidate. He had established the National Security Office in Afghanistan by order of the Foreign Office. Tuganhat is a Tonebridge MP and former chairman of the Defending Democracy Taskforce.
James Cleverly
The former Home Secretary James Cleverly was also a minister in Africa, the Middle East, and North America (2020-2022). Furthermore, Cleverly was also the Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs in 2020.
Robert Jenrick
Robert Jenrick is a former Secretary of State for Justice (2015) and also served as the private Secretary to the Home Secretary (2017). He had served as The Minister of State for the Home Office 2022-2023.
Kemi Badenoch
A fellow MP, Kemi Badenoch, commented that the Conservative party wasn’t “sure of who we are” and that it had “deserved” to lose the election. Badenoch was one of the sixth members to run for the leadership role in the Conservative Party.
Priti Patel
Priti Patel served as a former Exchequer to the Treasury (2014-2015) and Secretary of State for International for International Development. She has also had a role as the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Conservatives Were Struggling
A fellow MP, Kemi Badenoch, commented that the Conservative party wasn’t “sure of who we are” and that it had “deserved” to lose the election. Badenoch was one of the sixth members to run for the leadership role in the Conservative Party.
No Trust With Uncertainties
Badenoch had told the Times that she felt the conservative party wouldn’t vote for them if they didn’t know their identity or have a clear future plan. In a word, it seems like uncertainties can cause people to doubt and thus lose trust.
Braverman Warns for Future Prospects
Braverman holds the “liberal conservatives” accountable for the fall of the Conservative Party, as seen in 2024’s election. She spoke at the Conservatism Conference in the US, advising the Tories not to become “fanatical” and “irrelevant.”
Trump Is a Vote
Braverman had also noted that if she was a US citizen, she would vote for Trump and said “the world would be safer” if he were the president.
End of the Year
According to the Conservative’s website, the new Conservative Leader will be officially announced in November this year.
Battle Continues
The battle for a potential leader carries on as campaigns commence in August. “Knockouts” in September, more “knockouts” in October via votes and ballots close on the last day of October. There can only be one.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Fred Duval.