by Aren Pym
Theresa May, 59, has been the front runner of the tory leadership election since Boris Johnson, former Tory mayor of London pulled out of the bid for downing street, the unlikely frontrunner, a campaigner to remain in the EU, has been Theresa May. Tough on human rights laws and tougher on immigration, she is often perceived as the "moderate" candidate, quite the opposite of here opponents Gove and Crabb. A Sky Data Snap Poll showed that 47% of the people polled would support her as PM. She has been endorsed by many of the Tory front bench, and also 96 Tory MPs. But is this out of choice? Or is she the only candidate that seems likely out of the other contestants? Well, I think it is certainly the latter. The home secretary since the coalition government, she considers herself a one-nation tory, believing that she can appeal "to all" despite almost always supporting further austerity. She sometimes differs from her colleagues, however, and consistently votes against tuition fees, unlike most of her neoliberal pals on the front bench. But can Theresa May deliver for Britain? Will she rally the public support needed? And is she truly the leader the tories need, or is she just more credible than the other candidates? And would she be willing to initiate the process of leaving the EU?
Michael Gove
"Whatever Charisma is, I don't have it." Said Michael Gove on his speech announcing his candidacy. The right-wing eurosceptic and former education secretary, aged 48, was chairing the former frontrunner Boris Johnson's campaign, and has said time and time again that he "does not want to be Prime Minister." But as soon as Gove announced his candidacy, Boris announced that he would no longer be standing for PM. Political assassination, or coincidence? Many tory party MPs, despite sharing many views with Mr. Gove on the EU and sharing the same right-wing stance on most issues, have refused to endorse him in so-called "solidarity" with Boris. But does Gove have the public's support? Does he have the "charisma"? The answer is no. Michael Gove is one of the most unpopular british politicians at the moment, causing many teachers to go on strike frequently during his 4 year term as education secretary. Gove generally sits on the right-wing of the party, even once shockingly calling for the NHS to be dismantled and replaced by corporate health service. However, his views on gay-marriage and race are fairly liberal, unlike the next controversial candidate, Stephen Crabb.
Stephen Crabb
The first MP to announce candidacy was the welsh Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb. Often criticized for his homophobic views on gay marriage, Crabb, 43, has been the work and pensions' secretary since Iain Duncan Smith resigned over George Osborne's terrible budget earlier this year. Stephen Crabb has been endorsed by Gary Streeter, a Devon backbencher, but few others. Generally seen as the underdog of the campaign, the thatcherite has been considered a 'rising star' in the tory party for quite some time now. Having grown up on a council estate in Glasgow by a single mother, Crabb claims he can "Build a future for the poor." But we will have to see if he can deliver, won't we? Crabb has NEVER rebelled in the current parliament, only rebelling on one issue in his term as an MP, which is on the issue of removing hereditery peers from the House of Lords, which Crabb supports. Crabb has also controversially voted against gay marriage and gay rights, 'due to his religious beliefs'.
Andrea Leadsom
The most right-wing candidates, Andrea Leadsom is the 53 year old thatcherite MP for South Northamptonshire, and despite being one of the less popular candidates she has been endorsed by high-profile tories Iain Duncan Smith and former London mayor Boris Johnson. Being a Brexiter, Leadsom has vowed to invoke article 50, which will formally begin the process of Britain leaving the EU. Pro tuition fees and anti-minimum wage, Andrea Leadsom is certainly the most anti-working class candidate on this list. She also cares little for the enviroment, promoting selling British forests and is pro-nuclear power. Andrea Leadsom is also hugely in favour of the 'British Bill of Rights' and scrapping the human rights act. In short, Andrea is certainly the thatcherite candidate. (And you thought Gove was bad)
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