Duncan sets out leadership stall
Shadow Transport Secretary Alan Duncan has today become the second Shadow Cabinet member to say he will stand in the Conservative leadership contest.
Earlier this week, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind announced he was “likely” to stand in the leadership contest.
Mr Duncan would be the first openly gay candidate for the Conservative Party’s top job.
In a speech at the City of London School later today, Mr Duncan will call for a full review of the party’s thinking and priorities.
He will say that it is “impossible to exaggerate the extent to which most people under 35 would rather not vote for us” and urge the party to engage in “fresh thinking” that “can address the real issues affecting a new generation of voter”.
Mr Duncan will argue that the Conservative Party won the economic battles of the 1980s but has become “totally out of touch with a Britain that has changed”.
He will add: “People’s priorities changed, social attitudes changed, that Labour Party changed – but Conservatives did not.”
And in a pitch for a considered leadership contest, he will say: “We have picked recent leaders for who they are not, instead of for who they are.
“Our next choice of leader must not be born of gangs, deals and factions: it must be because the person is best equipped to be leader and best equipped to champion the ideas we have all agreed on.”
Noting that Major was picked because he was not Heseltine, Hague because he was not Clarke and Iain Duncan Smith because he was not Clarke or Portillo, Mr Duncan will add: “The truth is that both MPs and party members primarily supported a candidate because of their views on the EU.”
Now, Mr Duncan will suggest, the factional splits in the Conservatives are quieter and the party should look to be “aspirational, missionary, inspiring, and full of causes and hopes. It should be a vehicle for anger and indignation, as well as a source of pride and enthusiasm.
“These days, a leader has to be good on TV. He needs endless stamina. He needs a track record of clearly held, and clearly understood, views and he needs to be able to appeal far beyond the core support we currently attract.”
Mr Duncan will list problems with PFI, unfunded pension obligations, a lack of household savings and education as key areas of focus.
And with an eye over his shoulder, Mr Duncan will note: “We need to be so clear and thoughtful that nobody need feel the urge to vote Liberal Democrat.”
Both Mr Duncan and Sir Malcolm are considered to be on the modernising, socially liberal wing of the Tory Party. Other potential modernising candidates include Ken Clarke, with Dr Liam Fox and David Davis likely candidates on the right. All though are playing their cards close to their chest.
