OblitusSumMe said:

kle4 said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

https://twitter.com/paulwaugh/status/1138498096525127680

It should mean that. Although given they are essentially between leaders and thus, in the unlikely event he wins the contest, his policy approach would be seen as correct, perhaps they will try to justify not doing so as an exceptional circumstance.

Maybe it forces May to accept the Opposition motion rather than oppose it.

Yeah right, when every other leadership candidate will be happily against it?

Rory Stewart strikes me as someone who wants to reach out to people across the divide so that they can compromise with him. I see very little compromise on his side. I didn't like his comments that he was the only one who could beat Boris, it all seems rather to have gone to his head.

Casino_Royale said:

williamglenn said:

Steve Bray asks about revoking Article 50.

His very presence in the audience is toxic for Rory.

Rory does not back revoking, and said so - of all the reasons his campaign is toxic for his chances, why would telling that man that be toxic?

Barnesian said:

Rory reminds me of Eddie Redmayne

Yes I get some of that from him too. Bit of Mick Jagger in there also. Most definitely some Bobby Kennedy. And just a hint of Trigger from Only Fools And Horses.

All good.

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

Casino_Royale said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

He is pitching a moderate Brexit though !

HYUFD said:

Casino_Royale said:

HYUFD said:

nico67 said:

Brilliant speech by Rory Stewart .

Yes, Rory is by far the best LD leadership candidate to succeed Vince Cable...

Very good, but he’s going to be killed by going too far. He’s effectively created a meme where he’s running for himself and against his own party.

He hasn’t done anything like enough to defend Conservatism and draw Remainers and other floating voters to his banner and vision.

Had he squared that he’d have a strong chance of making the final two.

Yes but by doing that he would lose the liberal luvvies, he at least has a good media career ahead of him

He keeps on going on about “love” - which sounds dangerously like love is all you need - and makes himself sound both like John Lennon, and a proper (and literal) luvvie.

He’d have been far better advised to use the word compassion.

Luckyguy1983 said:

I didn't like his comments that he was the only one who could beat Boris, it all seems rather to have gone to his head.

What is supposed to say? That anyone could be Boris?

I don't think Rory has much of a plan despite his talk of compromise, and he has no chance with the members given some of his positions, but it 'going to his head' seems a curious charge to lay at his door. Sure, he is showing perhaps an unusual level of self confidence, arrogance one might even say, to enter a contest he has no chance of winning, but that's a small issue. Some of Boris's supporters went around complaining about the rules of the contest and acting outraged that he might not get through to the final two as a result, showing entitlement to a massive degree.

Gallowgate said:

Last thing on the Rory Stewart launch stream was a "Stop Brexit" shout.

I bet that was Steve Bray.

He really is a stratospheric penis.

If I were Rory I wouldn’t have let him in.

Casino_Royale said:

MikeL said:

Was Rory's launch a bit reminiscent of Cameron's 2005 Conference speech?

Starting to feel as if he could come from nowhere to win it.

EDIT: Hadn't read last few posts when I posted!

Cameron ran as a Conservative.

That’s the difference.

Rory is very sure he is a Conservative. What about that do you dispute? Bearing in mind Brexit position is not the sole arbiter of conservatism.

As for the point about pitching for a moderate Brexit, plenty of pointed out he is pitching for that (unreaslitically at this time is my view), and more to the point he is pitching a Brexit which had the backing of virtually all of the parliamentary party at one time or another, including Boris Johnson. Not happily, nor would be likely back it again, but he backed it.

How can it not be a moderate Brexit when the vast majority of Tory MPs backed it?

Casino_Royale said:

Gallowgate said:

Last thing on the Rory Stewart launch stream was a "Stop Brexit" shout.

I bet that was Steve Bray.

He really is a stratospheric penis.

If I were Rory I wouldn’t have let him in.

I imagine he did so he could show that he was against the man.

Barnesian said:

His theme of the balance between cowardice and foolhardiness etc is straight out of Aristotle's Ethics. The golden mean. The balance in the centre.

It also mirrors Buddha's Middle Way. Some hold that Buddhist teachings may well have reached and influenced Greece at the time, as it was the brand new philosophy sweeping India.

O/T

A lot of public wi-fi systems block PB because they think it's mainly to do with betting rather than political discussion, but you can usually get round it by using the Vanilla Forums site, which is what I'm doing atm.

Luckyguy1983 said:

Rory Stewart strikes me as someone who wants to reach out to people across the divide so that they can compromise with him. I see very little compromise on his side. I didn't like his comments that he was the only one who could beat Boris, it all seems rather to have gone to his head.

I'm unsure how you can make a pitch for this position like this and do anything different to that.

Casino_Royale said:

OblitusSumMe said:

Casino_Royale said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

Rory does support a moderate Brexit. That you don't recognize it as such only goes to show how difficult his job is.

Bullocks. I’ve written over this thread and previous that I do think he’s a Conservative

Then why say he 'could have made that pitch for the Conservatives' and that he didn't? Seems a lot like saying he is not making a Conservative pitch.

Chris said:

eek said:

OblitusSumMe said:

I have no doubt that Rory is the single most impressive politician in British politics right now by a country mile. And yet. If he can't win over his fellow MPs, and then his Party members, within mere days, he will end up a big failure.

I don't buy this nonsense of running this time to prepare for the next contest. The time when he can make a difference is now. The country needs him to win.

Nope - this mess can't be solved. Rory is better off picking up the pieces after Boris has really screwed things up...

Equally I wouldn't be surprised if Rory was leader of the Tories by this time next year...

The trouble with that is, if Johnson really screws things up, the leader of the Tories won't be in a position of power for a very, very long time.

I don't expect the Tories to be in power if Boris wins - Boris will be VoNCed before he begins or destroyed by Brexit in the way everyone will be until it's put to bed

Pulpstar said:

Scott_P said:

In other news...

https://twitter.com/AlbertoNardelli/status/1138499104445804545

Of course he's refusing to talk about it, that's the whole point of an NDA. The judge's summing up on his court action against Associated Newspapers made the point that party [E] wished the matter to remain private also.
Why is Buzzfeed trying to drag [E] to a place she does not want to go ?????

Perhaps because she was publicly accused of being a vexatious litigant this morning by one of Raab’s leading backers ?

Which is rather not the point of an NDA.

Scott_P said:

https://twitter.com/BethRigby/status/1138497692286558209

A sane Tory? Rarer than a Yeti

eek said:

Chris said:

eek said:

OblitusSumMe said:

I have no doubt that Rory is the single most impressive politician in British politics right now by a country mile. And yet. If he can't win over his fellow MPs, and then his Party members, within mere days, he will end up a big failure.

I don't buy this nonsense of running this time to prepare for the next contest. The time when he can make a difference is now. The country needs him to win.

Nope - this mess can't be solved. Rory is better off picking up the pieces after Boris has really screwed things up...

Equally I wouldn't be surprised if Rory was leader of the Tories by this time next year...

The trouble with that is, if Johnson really screws things up, the leader of the Tories won't be in a position of power for a very, very long time.

I don't expect the Tories to be in power if Boris wins - Boris will be VoNCed before he begins or destroyed by Brexit in the way everyone will be until it's put to bed

If Boris is VoNCed he will win a majority at the ensuing general election on a platform to deliver Brexit

OblitusSumMe said:

JosiasJessop said:

Rory Stewart:

"He pledges to walk through every county in the country if he becomes prime minister, "listening and walking, listening and walking" to ordinary people."

I'll go with him if he does the county tops.

Rory is the only politician I'm interested in meeting. Ever.

The only problem with walking all the counties is that people will argue about whether it's the 'new' counties / UA's, or the old ceremonial counties. I once had one gent complaining the list on my website didn't include 'Avon'.

Never, ever, get involved in the what-is-a-county argument ...

AlastairMeeks said:

Casino_Royale said:

OblitusSumMe said:

Casino_Royale said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

Rory does support a moderate Brexit. That you don't recognize it as such only goes to show how difficult his job is.

Bullocks. I’ve written over this thread and previous that I do think he’s a Conservative and I support both his Brexit vision and Theresa May’s Deal.

But, I understand my party and he’s getting his tone and pitch wrong.

Try again. And think next time before you default to shooting the messenger.

How do you talk a death cult out of their mania?

You appeal to the legacy of their party, their emotions, their pride and need for a winner, and their well rooted patriotism. A vision for the UK they love for the 21st Century.

Who gets to the last 2 depends on whether MPs vote for what's best for the country or what's best in terms of what they can as individuals personally extract from the situation.

Even then, surely they would not vote for McVey. Would they? Please tell me they haven't sunk that far

Mysticrose said:

HYUFD said:

eek said:

Chris said:

eek said:

OblitusSumMe said:

I have no doubt that Rory is the single most impressive politician in British politics right now by a country mile. And yet. If he can't win over his fellow MPs, and then his Party members, within mere days, he will end up a big failure.

I don't buy this nonsense of running this time to prepare for the next contest. The time when he can make a difference is now. The country needs him to win.

Nope - this mess can't be solved. Rory is better off picking up the pieces after Boris has really screwed things up...

Equally I wouldn't be surprised if Rory was leader of the Tories by this time next year...

The trouble with that is, if Johnson really screws things up, the leader of the Tories won't be in a position of power for a very, very long time.

I don't expect the Tories to be in power if Boris wins - Boris will be VoNCed before he begins or destroyed by Brexit in the way everyone will be until it's put to bed

If Boris is VoNCed he will win a majority at the ensuing general election on a platform to deliver Brexit

That's by no means a given. And Boris himself might lose his seat.

If Boris is VoNCed there will be an election. If Nigel stands the Tory party would still be destroyed

Casino_Royale said:

AlastairMeeks said:

Casino_Royale said:

OblitusSumMe said:

Casino_Royale said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

Rory does support a moderate Brexit. That you don't recognize it as such only goes to show how difficult his job is.

Bullocks. I’ve written over this thread and previous that I do think he’s a Conservative and I support both his Brexit vision and Theresa May’s Deal.

But, I understand my party and he’s getting his tone and pitch wrong.

Try again. And think next time before you default to shooting the messenger.

How do you talk a death cult out of their mania?

You appeal to the legacy of their party, their emotions, their pride and need for a winner, and their well rooted patriotism. A vision for the UK they love for the 21st Century.

That would involve trying to get them to widen their appeal (since it is trying to get them to change their minds), and therefore not being Tory enough.

MrsB said:

Who gets to the last 2 depends on whether MPs vote for what's best for the country or what's best in terms of what they can as individuals personally extract from the situation.

Even then, surely they would not vote for McVey. Would they? Please tell me they haven't sunk that far

They don't need to, several candidates are by default backing no deal, or even prorogation.

kle4 said:

Casino_Royale said:

OblitusSumMe said:

Casino_Royale said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

Rory does support a moderate Brexit. That you don't recognize it as such only goes to show how difficult his job is.

Bullocks. I’ve written over this thread and previous that I do think he’s a Conservative

Then why say he 'could have made that pitch for the Conservatives' and that he didn't? Seems a lot like saying he is not making a Conservative pitch.

Read my posts again, and try and understand what I’ve said.

Casino_Royale said:

AlastairMeeks said:

Casino_Royale said:

OblitusSumMe said:

Casino_Royale said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

kle4 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

The shocking thing is that Rory is just making obvious, mainstream, Conservative points, clearly and without equivocation. That is shocking because we have become so inured to fudge, fantasy and extremism that the moderate, sensible voices have been cowed into silence, as indeed they have in Labour.

Conservatism is Brexit, nothing more, nothing less. That is what the massive surge to BXP has taught us.

In that case we need a new party to take over the great Conservative traditions of pragmatism, sound finances, opportunity, and respect for ourselves, for others and for our history. The Big Tent Party, anyone?

Rory could have made that pitch for the Conservatives, with a moderate Brexit.

He didn’t, so he’ll lose.

Rory does support a moderate Brexit. That you don't recognize it as such only goes to show how difficult his job is.

Bullocks. I’ve written over this thread and previous that I do think he’s a Conservative and I support both his Brexit vision and Theresa May’s Deal.

But, I understand my party and he’s getting his tone and pitch wrong.

Try again. And think next time before you default to shooting the messenger.

How do you talk a death cult out of their mania?

You appeal to the legacy of their party, their emotions, their pride and need for a winner, and their well rooted patriotism. A vision for the UK they love for the 21st Century.

People don’t love the UK. They may love England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or (less an less as time goes on) Britain, but the UK? Nah.

Brexit - there’s a clue in the name.

eek said:

Mysticrose said:

HYUFD said:

eek said:

Chris said:

eek said:

OblitusSumMe said:

I have no doubt that Rory is the single most impressive politician in British politics right now by a country mile. And yet. If he can't win over his fellow MPs, and then his Party members, within mere days, he will end up a big failure.

I don't buy this nonsense of running this time to prepare for the next contest. The time when he can make a difference is now. The country needs him to win.

Nope - this mess can't be solved. Rory is better off picking up the pieces after Boris has really screwed things up...

Equally I wouldn't be surprised if Rory was leader of the Tories by this time next year...

The trouble with that is, if Johnson really screws things up, the leader of the Tories won't be in a position of power for a very, very long time.

I don't expect the Tories to be in power if Boris wins - Boris will be VoNCed before he begins or destroyed by Brexit in the way everyone will be until it's put to bed

If Boris is VoNCed he will win a majority at the ensuing general election on a platform to deliver Brexit

That's by no means a given. And Boris himself might lose his seat.

If Boris is VoNCed there will be an election. If Nigel stands the Tory party would still be destroyed

Nope, Boris slashes the Brexit Party to 13% with Yougov, leads Labour and the LDs by 7% and gets an overall Tory majority of 16


https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1136006739864825858?s=20

Cyclefree said:

Peter_the_Punter said:

Cyclefree said:

Mysticrose said:

Re. Brexit, he has said he'll support the cross party strategy to block No Deal (good man) and he talked at the end of the main speech about courage being not chasing the unicorns, the fantasies but facing reality.

I'd read that to going for something close to May's-EU deal but I could be wrong.

He's streets ahead of the other candidates and would toast Corbyn. But he won't be chosen by the lunatics who have taken over the asylum.

Well, the event at which I was due to speak was cancelled as it turned out it was at the building on which the helicopter crash landed yesterday. What are the odds, eh!

So have a day in NY to bum around. Have just watched Rory Stewart’s speech and his Q&A. Very impressive. The standout candidate.

If the Tories reject him they are fools. They will, I fear. They are fools.

But I hope Rory will hang on in there for the next time. There is something about him which has been lacking in far too many politicians and which we need in this country.

So you turn up in NY and a helicopter just happens to crash into the building next door, and you say this is just coincidence, Cyclefree?

I'd get a good lawyer if I were you.... ;-)

I have the perfect alibi. I was in the air at the time - in an aeroplane over the Atlantic.

You are in the world capital of conspiracy theories, Cyclefree. You will need better than that.

HYUFD said:

eek said:

Mysticrose said:

HYUFD said:

eek said:

Chris said:

eek said:

OblitusSumMe said:

I have no doubt that Rory is the single most impressive politician in British politics right now by a country mile. And yet. If he can't win over his fellow MPs, and then his Party members, within mere days, he will end up a big failure.

I don't buy this nonsense of running this time to prepare for the next contest. The time when he can make a difference is now. The country needs him to win.

Nope - this mess can't be solved. Rory is better off picking up the pieces after Boris has really screwed things up...

Equally I wouldn't be surprised if Rory was leader of the Tories by this time next year...

The trouble with that is, if Johnson really screws things up, the leader of the Tories won't be in a position of power for a very, very long time.

I don't expect the Tories to be in power if Boris wins - Boris will be VoNCed before he begins or destroyed by Brexit in the way everyone will be until it's put to bed

If Boris is VoNCed he will win a majority at the ensuing general election on a platform to deliver Brexit

That's by no means a given. And Boris himself might lose his seat.

If Boris is VoNCed there will be an election. If Nigel stands the Tory party would still be destroyed

Nope, Boris slashes the Brexit Party to 13% with Yougov, leads Labour and the LDs by 7% and gets an overall Tory majority of 16

If you’re open to a sporting bet I’ll wager with you that the Conservatives will not get an overall majority in any general election held in 2019. Void if no election.

I’d be happy to make it charitable, stake of your choice up to £100.

NEW THREAD

Viceroy_of_Orange said:

rcs1000 said:

If Rory Stewart become leader of the Conservative Party, then I think William Of Orange / archer101au would literally explode.

Would only seal their fate. Of all the Tories I know, not one of them would vote for a Tory Party led by Rory Stewart. I'd sooner vote Corbyn. Rory could be our Kim Campbell.

Yes but the only tories you know are UKIPPERS - Rory is the real conservative party

Cyclefree said:

Mysticrose said:

Re. Brexit, he has said he'll support the cross party strategy to block No Deal (good man) and he talked at the end of the main speech about courage being not chasing the unicorns, the fantasies but facing reality.

I'd read that to going for something close to May's-EU deal but I could be wrong.

He's streets ahead of the other candidates and would toast Corbyn. But he won't be chosen by the lunatics who have taken over the asylum.

Well, the event at which I was due to speak was cancelled as it turned out it was at the building on which the helicopter crash landed yesterday. What are the odds, eh!

So have a day in NY to bum around. Have just watched Rory Stewart’s speech and his Q&A. Very impressive. The standout candidate.

If the Tories reject him they are fools. They will, I fear. They are fools.

But I hope Rory will hang on in there for the next time. There is something about him which has been lacking in far too many politicians and which we need in this country.

If you're interested in lesser-known places to visit, there's the Neue Galerie on 86th and 7h near the Met, has some great Klimts (including the Woman in Gold) and a Viennese style café for some sachertorte. The Rubin Museum on 17th between 6th and 7th specializes in Himalayan Buddhist art and has some amazing stuff to see. The JP Morgan Library at 36th and Madison usually has some interesting exhibitions on.

AlastairMeeks said:

HYUFD said:

eek said:

Mysticrose said:

HYUFD said:

eek said:

Chris said:

eek said:

OblitusSumMe said:

I have no doubt that Rory is the single most impressive politician in British politics right now by a country mile. And yet. If he can't win over his fellow MPs, and then his Party members, within mere days, he will end up a big failure.

I don't buy this nonsense of running this time to prepare for the next contest. The time when he can make a difference is now. The country needs him to win.

Nope - this mess can't be solved. Rory is better off picking up the pieces after Boris has really screwed things up...

Equally I wouldn't be surprised if Rory was leader of the Tories by this time next year...

The trouble with that is, if Johnson really screws things up, the leader of the Tories won't be in a position of power for a very, very long time.

I don't expect the Tories to be in power if Boris wins - Boris will be VoNCed before he begins or destroyed by Brexit in the way everyone will be until it's put to bed

If Boris is VoNCed he will win a majority at the ensuing general election on a platform to deliver Brexit

That's by no means a given. And Boris himself might lose his seat.

If Boris is VoNCed there will be an election. If Nigel stands the Tory party would still be destroyed

Nope, Boris slashes the Brexit Party to 13% with Yougov, leads Labour and the LDs by 7% and gets an overall Tory majority of 16

If you’re open to a sporting bet I’ll wager with you that the Conservatives will not get an overall majority in any general election held in 2019. Void if no election.

I’d be happy to make it charitable, stake of your choice up to £100.

OK but £50 is my limit I am afraid and it only applies if Boris is leader, I do not see any other Tory leader getting an overall majority

Viceroy_of_Orange said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Viceroy_of_Orange said:

rcs1000 said:

If Rory Stewart become leader of the Conservative Party, then I think William Of Orange / archer101au would literally explode.

Would only seal their fate. Of all the Tories I know, not one of them would vote for a Tory Party led by Rory Stewart. I'd sooner vote Corbyn. Rory could be our Kim Campbell.

Yes but the only tories you know are UKIPPERS - Rory is the real conservative party

Rory Stewart is the real Conservative Party? Can we imagine the likes of Disraeli, Churchill and Thatcher talking about peace and love as the answer to our problems? Can we imagine them siding with Labour to destroy the constitution and deprive the government of the parliamentary agenda?

The party has had a major problem since Cameron and Osborne, namely that it is now infested with confused Liberal Democrats who think they are Tories.

Disraeli's main opponents were the Liberals of course albeit Churchill was briefly a Liberal himself

MrsB said:

Who gets to the last 2 depends on whether MPs vote for what's best for the country or what's best in terms of what they can as individuals personally extract from the situation.

Even then, surely they would not vote for McVey. Would they? Please tell me they haven't sunk that far

Don't worry Fallon's on the job. Mr fixer himself. At the moment he's telling everyone what a great bloke Boris is. In the event of his numbers slipping he'll be available to plead the case for anyone else who looks like a possible winner. If that's McVey Fallon wont be far away. The Tories are nothing if not opportunists.