Could Justine Greening be the next Tory leader? As education secretary she won the respect of many when she went against the party line by opposing cuts to school budgets, and demanding more money and more support for teachers instead.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s still a Tory, but I feel she is on the progressive side of the party, and I like the way she stands up for what she believes in. Dare I say it, she has principles, as she showed when she turned down May’s offer of a new job in the department for work and pensions, and returned to the back benches instead. That required guts and commitment.
The fact that she’s willing to speak her mind – also about her support for remaining in the EU – makes her a breath of fresh air within what is otherwise a stale and backward-looking party.
Unlike Theresa May, Justine Greening might be able to make the Tory party more popular. But first she’d need to win the backing of the party. Although most Conservative MPs voted to remain in the EU, most of the constituencies voted to leave. That could make it difficult for her to win the support of the membership, although that was not a problem for May – also a retainer.
But what if her constituents don’t vote for her in the next election? Then she won’t even remain an MP, let alone become party leader.
My hope is that Greening throws her hat in the ring and runs for the top job. She has cabinet experience, and has shown she can vote according to conscience. The Tories need someone like her – with backbone, and empathy. So if she decides to go for leader, the party should get behind her.
