DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Let magnanimity lead to Conservative unity
In the end, there was no turmoil, no back-stabbing, no psychodrama.
In fact, it was the exact opposite of how the fractious Tory party has conducted itself – to voters’ disgust – for months.
Shortly after 9pm last night, Boris Johnson announced he would not run for the leadership. As a result, Rishi Sunak will almost certainly be handed the crown.
It was a remarkable gesture of magnanimity from a remarkable politician – perhaps the most brilliant of his generation.
Boris Johnson said he believed he could have won the race to become Prime Minister – and delivered an election victory in 2024
Mr Johnson had, after all, secured the support of the 100 Tory MPs he needed to overcome the first hurdle in the contest – and guaranteed a slot on the ballot paper.
As the darling of the Conservative rank-and-file, Boris would have been very much in the box seat to become prime minister – potentially as soon as Friday.
But Mr Sunak will surely now head into No10 instead – possibly unopposed. The former chancellor has won the backing of a large majority of the party’s MPs. Only Penny Mordaunt stands in his way – and she falls far short of the threshold.
The latest twist in what has been one of the most turbulent chapters in Tory political history came courtesy of Mr Johnson. In a statement he said he believed he could have won the race to become PM – and delivered an election victory in 2024.
With his formidable campaigning skills, optimism and vision, and ability to woo parts of the electorate that had never voted Tory before – to great success in the Red Wall – who would have bet against him?
But for the good of the party and the nation he set his dream aside. This was a gesture of wisdom and statesmanship. By withdrawing from the race, he has spared his party a bloody and fatal civil war.
Instead, he has placed a high value on loyalty, unity and discipline – the key weapons needed to keep Labour from getting their hands on the levers of power.
Mr Johnson’s generosity stands in stark contrast with the petulance of some of Rishi’s supporters, who undermined Liz Truss out of spite after she won the last Tory leadership contest last month.
Mr Sunak should not forget that he has ridden into power on Boris’s coat tails. He should acknowledge the debt he owes to him and pursue those 2019 promises of Brexit freedoms, low taxes and levelling-up.
The Conservatives need a period of calm and stability. The recent mayhem has seen voters turning their backs on the party in their droves. The greatest indictment of this omnishambles is that it has made even Sir Keir Starmer look electable.
Whoever becomes the next Tory leader will have no honeymoon period. They will be parachuted straight into a political minefield. They will face a public already furious with the Tories for seemingly being more interested in squabbling than sorting out the country’s huge problems.
There will be a barrage of bad news to contend with which will aggravate the fractious mood: Drastically falling living standards, an appalling NHS winter crisis, tax hikes and public spending cuts. And that’s without Putin’s nuclear threats.
This task would be tough enough for a PM who enjoyed the support of every member of the parliamentary party. To undertake it while some MPs mount an insurrection will be nigh on impossible.
It is imperative that the losing camp accepts the result. After all, democracy is a double-edged sword: Sometimes it gives, sometimes it takes away.
The alternative would be a catastrophic split that risks consigning the Tories to the outer darkness of British politics – and leaving Labour free to ruin the economy, the Union and everything else we hold dear.
The Tories must roll up their sleeves and convince the public they are worth voting for. Mr Johnson acted with grace and good sense. He may have saved his party from oblivion. His time will come again.
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