Mordaunt back on the list

Dame Penny Mordaunt has been reinstated as a Conservative candidate after passing her assessment with the candidates board, ending her exclusion from the party's selection process.

The price of reinstatement

Mordaunt's return came after she apparently agreed to support party leader Kemi Badenoch's rightwing policies, including ditching support for net zero and withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights.

Mordaunt on her position shift

When pressed on whether she had changed her position, Mordaunt said diplomatically she was very happy with the party position and had always toed the party line, but admitted she had not agreed one hundred percent with every policy.

“I am very happy with the party position as it is on all those issues. I've always toed the party line.”

Cleverly's economic argument

Former foreign secretary Sir James Cleverly, who also previously supported net zero, said the economic outlook had changed dramatically due to Middle East conflict and rising energy prices, making hydrocarbon reserves necessary.

“The economic outlook has changed dramatically. We've got situations now because of conflict in the Middle East.”

Cleverly on the ECHR reversal

Cleverly, who opposed leaving the ECHR when he ran for Tory leader in two thousand twenty-four, said robust conversations with the judiciary about immigration decisions had convinced him the UK needs to withdraw from the convention.

“I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but the conversations that I've had have made it clear that we do need to do something significant.”

Badenoch's control of policy

Party leader Kemi Badenoch has made clear her authority over Conservative policy, stating it is her party and she decides the policy, setting the terms for candidates seeking selection.

“It's my party and I decide the policy.”

History of position-switching

The Independent was told of a one thousand nine hundred ninety-seven selection meeting where two future senior cabinet members claimed to support the death penalty and leaving the EU to secure candidacy, but later voted against both positions.

“you were far too honest.”

The credibility question

While Mordaunt and Cleverly may be sincere in their policy shifts, many in the party suspect they are saying what is necessary to stay in the game and remain viable candidates under Badenoch's leadership.