@Roussette
It is almost as if the Tory party have accidentally found someone competent. It makes a pleasant change
I think we are all so desperately seeking someone high up we can trust in these difficult times and he fits the bill for now. Because Johnson/Patel and their ilk have been seen to lie so prolifically and behave so abominably, we just tune them out.
The support for Ben Wallace is from ConservativeHome which is grassroots membership. Thats interesting.
I think there is some lack of nuance between tory mps and members when saying about sidelining for competence.
Members are more likely to be business owners. They put up with Johnson due to his public popularity, but have actually always questioned competence.
Who the MPs want as next leader and who grassroots want are different things.
MPs might try to sideline someone competent, but ultimately grassroots do look for it more.
Johnson was always means to a brexity end and his failings knowingly over looked.
With economic issues growing and a tiring of incompetence a substantial part of the grassroots will look for a competent contender after Johnson.
The other half will look for someone very right wing.
I do think at another time Stewart would have been popular amongst members but Brexit was the key issue at the time.
If/when Johnson goes of course.