Leadership speculation runs wild

Leadership speculation runs wild

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE May 18, 2023 View in browser Leadership speculation runs wild I have written about Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, and whether he has any ambition for the top job (link below). If the Conservatives win the next election, he could be in a strong position.  Which prompted a discussion in the press gallery offices about who would be the next Labour leader if Keir Starmer became "permanently unavailable", in the delicate words of the party's constitution. I was surprised to discover that Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, is the favourite in a thin betting market, despite having disavowed any such ambition.  Any contest in the near term would probably be between her, Lisa Nandy (who said after the last time that she wouldn't do it again) and Wes Streeting. If Reeves did stand, I think she would win: Labour people like her – she is confident in the Commons and bulldozes Tories.   Quiz question What do Philip Gould, Malcolm McLaren and Karl Marx have in common? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Swimming in sewage used to be 'acceptable',  senior Tory MP  'I remember as a child in south Wales swimming in sewage', says Damian Green Strangest moments from  National Conservatism Conference Weirdness and controversy beset the event Car industry woes 'nothing to do with Brexit', Badenoch claims The business secretary insisted it was not a Brexit-related problem Articles driving the biggest conversations Ann Widdecombe's 'shut up and starve' message is hard to swallow Articles available exclusively to subscribers Rishi Sunak faces a triple by-election trap set by Boris Johnson What else do you need to know today? Rishi Sunak refused to repeat the promise of the 2019 Conservative manifesto on immigration that "overall numbers will come down". Speaking to journalists in Japan ahead of the G7 summit tomorrow, he said: "I've inherited some numbers; I want to bring the numbers down" Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, confirmed he wants to be Nato secretary general: "That's a job I'd like [but it is] up to the allies." Not leader of the Conservative Party, then The government has met its manifesto target for more GPs' staff a year early – an extra 29,000 primary care professionals such as dieticians, paramedics and physiotherapists Thanks to Adam Forrest and Archie Mitchell, without whom this newsletter would not be possible Rentoul's reading list Charlotte Cripps on the brutal truth of being an addict   Helen Lewis of The Atlantic on the perpetual grievance machine of the National Conservatism conference (paywall) David Gauke thinks it likely that a "NatCon" candidate will be the next Conservative leader (paywall) Rob Ford further analyses anti-Tory voting in the English local elections  Robert Shrimsley of the Financial Times on Keir Starmer's rhetorical journey to social conservatism (paywall) I wrote for Independent Premium about Oliver Dowden, the secret next prime minister? £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Inside the bubble A look back at the week in Westminster The Commons is not sitting tomorrow, so the next newsletter will be on Monday. This week was a good one for Labour, as Keir Starmer gained some attention for his message about building more houses, including on the green belt, while the Conservatives looked like a party preparing for opposition, as Angela Rayner observed in (Deputy) Prime Minister's Questions. The three-day National Conservatism conference round the corner from parliament looked like a freak show of the conspiracist American right – it was not a Conservative Party event, but was attended by Tory MPs including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove.  Quotation of the Day "I love my job and I want to carry on doing it." Jeremy Corbyn, 73, responds to a spontaneous show of support from Islington North Labour Party Quiz answer: They are all buried in Highgate cemetery We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating FIND OUT MORE If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. 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