Drip by drip, statement by statement, Conservative MPs are fleeing the green benches of the House of Commons for pastures new. Consider the historical context: in 1997, ahead of a much-foretold routing courtesy of Tony Blair, a full 75 Conservative MPs wandered willingly into the wilderness. Another factor worth treating here is that some Conservative MPs will want to play no part in a post-election leadership contest. Nonetheless, it would be wrong to treat the full 59 outgoing Conservative MPs as a monolith, (not least of all because some will currently be mid-“chicken run”). The media commentary that will follow, and the fatigued vibes such an exodus exudes, will strengthen the feeling of malaise that envelops Conservative politics.
