Penny Mordant has warned Britain cannot go down the same path as Donald Trump’s populist America, as she plots a return to British politics.
The former cabinet minister and Tory leadership candidate issued his warning as Nigel Farage’s reforms – as well as many in his own party, including Robert Jenrick – seek to emulate what Trump has done in the US.
The former Commons leader also hinted that he would be looking to return to the Commons sooner rather than later – if the right opportunity presents itself for a by-election.
talk to independent Launching his new book on British traditions, the former MP issued a barbed warning to those who want to emulate Trump.
“The comparison with the United States is very clear,” he said. “You know, we have this incredible rulebook that’s been forged over 1,000 years and has been stress-tested to its limits. You can’t have the kind of organization that’s going on in the United States right now and, well, the president has taken over.”
“I think this country has a good sense of itself. It appreciates service. It doesn’t like power to be concentrated in one person. It likes fairness, and it’s incredibly tolerant, and it likes people getting along and coming together.
“It’s all thanks to our incredible set of rules and customs. And so I say good luck to anyone who wants to try and upset that. I think that’s a lesson. It might work in the US to do it Trump’s way, he’s certainly been able to do some things there,” he added.
Ms Mordant also warned that despite claims of reforms, she did not believe they truly represented Britain.
I really don’t think so, although they drape themselves in the Union Flag [Reform] As they claim to understand the people of this country.
He has previously denied rumors of standing in the seat of Rishi Sunak in Richmond and North Allerton in Yorkshire, should he decide to stand down, however, with the Tory leadership under Kimmy Badnock uncertain, many would like to see him back in Parliament.
“That is, if I don’t come back,” he said [to parliament as an MP]It will not be through lack of effort. It’s a great job and you can do a lot with it. “And I think in the last 15 years that I’ve been involved, I’ve gotten a sense of how to do things, and I want to go back and contribute.”
Asked if she was looking at a by-election, Ms Mordant added: “It all depends on luck and timing. I will be prepared for any eventuality.”
The new book, co-written with Chris Lewis, founder of the Tim Lewis marketing agency, documents hundreds of annual events and traditions in Britain, while Ms Mordant uses it to discuss her failure as an MP, as well as her party’s defeat at the last general election, and the political philosophy needed to turn their fortunes around.
This inspired her famous appearance at the coronation of King Charles, when she carried the sword of state before him. The book contains some of the hundreds of children’s drawings that were sent to him after the event.
But the former minister also sees his book as an important way to help his party, which he believes has become detached from the innate values and traditions of the British people during his presidency.
This was best illustrated in the episode he recounts in his book, where Mr Sonnock, in his view, cost his Portsmouth North the election.
Ms. Mordant lost her seat by just 780 votes and the book discusses how she lost and blames it on Rishi Sunak’s advisers.
“I think the D Day episode was kind of the ultimate example of us moving away from the values of the country and a lot of Rishi’s help didn’t get it,” he said.
Pomp & Circumstance: Why Britain’s Traditions Matter by Penny Mordant and Chris Lewis, available here.
