Penny’s passion gives heart to Unionists

FEW would have predicted before the Tory leadership contest began that Penny Mordaunt would emerge within days as the bookies’ favourite to win.

It’s all the more remarkable that she has picked up further momentum given Lord Frost’s salvo against her yesterday – in which he voiced ‘grave reservations’ about her abilities.

As international trade minister, Miss Mordaunt has a low profile, meaning she’s a relatively unknown quantity for most voters. This makes it all the more necessary her record is put under the microscope.

There is confusion over her views on transgender issues. Back in 2018, she said ‘trans men are men, trans women are women’ at a consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act, a position it seems she now seeks to disown.

She must address questions over her military credentials, while during the Leveson debate she co-signed a letter to The Guardian demanding greater regulation of the Press. This should set alarm bells clanging.

Yet her passionate support of the UK and sound understanding of the SNP’s modus operandi – outlined in the Mail this week – will have heartened many Unionists.

Meanwhile, the 27 followers of eliminated attorney general Suella Braverman are mulling their options as the field narrows to five contenders, with Liz Truss seen as the likeliest beneficiary.

While Rishi Sunak is ahead of the pack, his lead is far from unassailable, and there is scope for further upsets in a race where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

On one policy, however, there is consensus among those vying to succeed Boris Johnson, and that is to carry on his staunch refusal to countenance another divisive independence referendum.

Whoever emerges triumphant from this contest must keep a laser focus on thwarting the separatist threat and shoring up the defences of our precious Union.