Tory members measure up leadership finalists

 

Tory members measure up leadership finalists

BBC News, 9 October 2024

By Joshua Nevett, Brian Wheeler

“John Strafford, veteran campaigner for greater grassroots democracy in the party, said the system currently used for choosing leaders is an “absolute disaster”.

He argues that the final four should have been put to a vote of the membership after they had delivered their speeches at last week’s party conference, rather than being whittled down to two by the MPs.

Under the current system, which was brought in by former leader William Hague, the best candidate does not necessarily win, argues Mr Strafford, who chairs the Campaign for Conservative Democracy.

“The whole thing is manipulated. Bribery takes place. The MPs will only vote on the basis of ‘what’s in it for me?’ They are looking for jobs, titles and honours. It’s a terrible way in which to do things.”

He is campaigning for leadership contests to be taken out of the hands of the 1922 committee of backbenchers, which he says keep changing the rules, and put into a new party constitution.”