The Tory Reform Group (TRG) will not be endorsing a candidate in this year’s Conservative leadership contest.
As the home of One Nation Conservatism since 1975, the TRG is committed to being radically moderate, values-driven, and focused on the future. Throughout the contest, we have sought to engage extensively with all the leadership campaigns in order to understand the views and approaches of the candidates. Unfortunately, we have been consistently disappointed by the lack of engagement from the two candidates chosen by MPs.
TRG members were consulted throughout the process, and the results clearly show that neither candidate has secured widespread support from the majority of our membership. Both have used rhetoric and focused on issues which are far and away from the Party at its best, let alone the One Nation values we cherish and uphold. Therefore, the Board of the TRG has unanimously concluded that we are unable to endorse either candidate.
We are heartened that some of the candidates engaged deeply with One Nation Conservatives. Most shared written and video content for them. Two of the final four attended our packed conference event, the TRG Midnight Reception. As fewer candidates than invited attended, they kindly agreed to address our members, and their contributions resonated with the Board, our Patrons, and attendees alike.
While the TRG will continue to advocate for those values as part of the Conservative family, we will do so by urging the final two candidates to recognise where the values of the British people lie, and to work for positive change rather than try to divide us.