And then there were two.
After two weeks of jockeying and the unfortunate demise of outsider Rory Stewart’s candidacy, only two contenders remain in the race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May and take the mantle of Conservative Party leader. They are Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Hunt and Johnson now face the verdict of Conservative Party members across Britain.
But what vision does each man offer for the future of the nation?
Boris Johnson, the clear favorite, is exceptionally bright but quite eccentric. Adored by many conservative primary voters for his jovial charisma and unashamed hard-Brexit attitudes, he’s also a loose cannon. Johnson’s time at the Foreign Office is not remembered fondly.
Still, if the old-Etonian can restrain his odder impulses, he should be able to secure a landslide victory when the final results are announced on July 22. Johnson will also thrive if he focuses on his newly discovered message of pro-capitalist innovation. That message has appeal for conservative voters who want a leader more willing than Theresa May to push back aggressively at Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s hard-line socialism.
Jeremy Hunt is the fresher-faced, more reliable candidate, but also the more boring one. A “remainer” who wanted to keep Britain in the European Union, Hunt now says he’s committed to Brexit. But his challenge lies in persuading conservative voters that he will make Brexit happen. Expect Johnson to spend the next month doing everything he can to portray Hunt as unreliable on that count: this is especially important to conservative voters.
Hunt’s opportunity, however, is in presenting himself as the more credible prime minister. In the context of ongoing doubts over Brexit, tensions with Iran and Russia, and business interests in greater stability, Hunt might just be able to cultivate an image of Johnson as a risk-too-far. But Hunt’s policy positions at this point seem too blurred. He needs to show why he’ll be different and better than Johnson if he’s to have any hope.
Regardless, one of these two men will be prime minister by the end of next month.
Source Article from https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/in-boris-johnson-and-jeremy-hunt-two-visions-for-britains-conservative-future
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