The most startling element is its one big dive outside the workings of the Tory machine: he wants the leader’s powers to draw up the manifesto to be reined in.
It’s still winnable, but there are warning signs for the wider Party and its leadership.
The lesson of the current scandal is that the Party can’t leave it to outsiders to make membership fun and fulfilling for younger members.
The Conservative Party organisation is over-stretched and over-extended but it is a winning Party with the hidden resources for regeneration and renewal.
Today is the tenth anniversary of his election as Conservative leader – the most electorally successful one in modern times bar Thatcher.
The Party Board should ensure that the issues at stake are addressed with a credibility that is presently absent.
The Clarkegate allegations have revealed flawed accountability structures and failures of confidentiality – exacerbated by a fixation with the short-term.
Plus: Military strikes against Syria now. And: Maria Eagle should tell Corbyn to stuff his job. So should Kevan Jones.
Without a report, closure won’t happen. The claims will simply get bigger and louder.
Elliott Johnson’s father is interviewed as part of our columnist’s LBC Show.
People don’t talk about Eastleigh much – but it should loom large in our minds.
Mark Clarke is the Chief Executive of the Trade Union Reform Campaign. He was previously the candidate in Tooting, during which campaign he exposed full-time trade unionist Jane Pilgrim, who gave her name to the trade union “Pilgrims”. Follow Mark on Twitter. Francis Maude’s long-awaited clampdown on the abuse of taxpayers’ money by trade unions is […]
The death of one good man will not be assuaged by another good man being forced to resign by media pressure.