Shallow talent pool: Croydon Mayor Jason Perry presiding over Monday night’s Tory leadership hustings with (from left) Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat and Kemi BadEnoch
While Labour members were drooling/raging (delete to taste) over their rapidly discredited leadership’s performances at their annual conference in Liverpool this week, Croydon’s Conservatives were gathering to hear from their wannabe new leader.
And it is fair to say that some left the event underwhelmed.
One candidate didn’t bother to show up at all for the south London Conservative leadership hustings held at Clapham Junction (had James Cleverley got wind that the session was to be chaired by Croydon’s very own piss-poor Jason Perry?), while another arrived so late that she alienated many potential supporters.
“The wine and sandwiches were excellent, though,” noted one non-committal attendee.
Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat (Who he? Ed) and Kemi BadEnoch, once she managed to find her way to the venue, went through the usual hustings routine of speeches followed by a Q&A session, only this one ran for 90minutes – Croydon’s £82,000 part-time Mayor obviously having plenty of time for his personal, political activities in his otherwise less-than-busy schedule.
Croydon cornered: Tugendhat (second right) meets Dwesir (left) and Stewart (right)
The hall was said to be “packed”.
Among the Croydon constituencies’ figures present were Neil Salt, a party official in Croydon North, as well as Purley councillor Samir Dwesar and cabinet deputy Alasdair Stewart.
Stewart appears to be leaning towards supporting former Army officer Tugendhat – reckoned to be the outsider of the remaining candidates. “It was great to meet Tom at last night’s London South Area hustings. Great attendance and lots of interesting questions and answers!” Stewart gushed on Twatter.
“Looking forward to hearing more from Tom and all the candidates at #CPC24 conference next week!”
Among some of the more radical notions put forward by the leadership candidates was Tugendhat’s idea of “serving the British people”. Which sounds like an admission that the Conservative governments, from 2010 to 2024, did not.
But it was former business secretary BadEnoch’s late arrival and contemptuous air which really rattled some of the attendees’ cages.
One told Inside Croydon (on conditional of anonymity, naturally), that they had learned that “Badenoch can’t tell the time or, unlike the others, arrange herself to arrive on time.
“When she did arrive late, having delayed the start of proceedings, she interrupted another speaker mid-speech and showed no respect to all the members who turned up (on time).
“She also failed to apologise for her lateness and the disruption it caused.”
So much for “serving the British people”, eh?
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Blimey weren’t there half a bottle of wine or dozen in that picture?
So you don’t have to be half-cut to be a Tory, but it sure seems to help.
Might explain the weird babble they seem only able to produce these days. All probably whines sourced from the EU of course.
Glad someone else noticed that… Looks like Perry was in charge of rations, too.
There may even be a bottle or two of perry in there, which would make sense as Perry continues to cannabalise Croydon like the proverbial snake eating its own tail…
Happy to confirm we do know how to have a good time! Hustings followed by plenty of wine – what’s not to like?
What’s not to like? The Conservatives, obviously
We’re all well aware of the Tory Party’s capacity to ‘have a good time’. Partygate is still very fresh in our minds.
Funnily enough, I stood next to James and Mrs Cleverly on the Tube on Monday.
The destination he was searching for on his phone then was out Aldgate/ Shoreditch way.
So you were spying on him?! If you can set aside his party membership, I think he’s a sound bod. I am impressed with his achievement and his whole attitude. Could we have another black Tory leader? Never going to happen in the other party.
No. I was standing next to him while he was fucking about on his phone.
Obvs never been on a crowded tube before.
Same old Tories