Win back voters sick of politics
AS a catch in her throat threatened to undo her, very few people could justifiably accuse Theresa May of lacking emotion. This rare insight into the pain she was suffering belied the resilience, tenacity and sense of duty that she had exhibited each of every other day she’s served as Prime Minister.
Now, though, as she said, it is the job of her successor ‘to seek a way forward that honours the result of the referendum’.
As Mrs May knows to her cost, that is easier said than done. Brexit, the issue that has now seen off two Tory prime ministers, remains as intractable as ever.
What’s more, with the party predicted to have got just 14 per cent of votes in Thursday’s EU elections, the Conservatives require a major renewal. The new leader will face a Parliament that is deeply divided and with no Commons majority. In the wider country, political debate has plumbed new depths of odious incivility.
In Scotland, we have a nationalist government demanding another tilt at independence, while the devolved government in Northern Ireland has been suspended since January 2017.
It is no exaggeration to say the country is in deadlock – and politicians in London are merely stumbling towards another EU negotiating deadline. Usually, an exhausted party has time away from government to sort itself out, establish a new team, blood young talent and float eye-catching ideas.
But this administration doesn’t have the luxury of time out of power to reinvigorate.
I’ve been asked – repeatedly – about my assessment of the lead contenders to take up this huge challenge. For example: ‘Can you work with Boris?’ ‘Do you want to see another woman in the post?’ ‘Will the Scottish membership back Michael Gove or Rory Stewart?’ ‘Does it have to be a Brexiteer?’ ‘What about Sajid Javid or Jeremy Hunt?’ As the leader of the Conservative Party in Scotland, I have a responsibility to back the person I think will be best able to work on behalf of all corners of our nation.
Someone who can demonstrate an understanding of, and a passionate commitment to, our Union. Above all, someone who will bring our country together.
In Scotland, we need someone who can recognise that the integrity of the United Kingdom itself is being stretched and tested.
The challenge ahead is not just about Brexit. We must develop policies on housing, social care, deprivation, the health services and so much more.
Our new leader must not opt for quick fixes or dog-whistle politics.
We have the summer to find out who will be best to tell the next chapter of our national story, who can reach out to those we know feel set apart from our party, such as the young and ethnic minority voters. Above all, to find the person who can capture the imagination of a public that is utterly sick of politics and politicians.
I await with interest.