Penny Mordaunt shows cool demeanour in heat of Tory leadership race

Former defence secretary wins over MPs and media with balanced speech made wihout notes

British Trade Secretary Penny Mordaunt is one of the candidates in the race to replace Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister. AFP

During her brief tenure as defence secretary, Ms Mordaunt arrives with John Michael Mulvaney for a Buckingham Palace banquet also attended by then-US president Donald Trump. Getty Images

Prince Charles meets Penny Mordaunt and MP Tobias Ellwood at a reception at St James's Palace, London, in 2019. Getty Images

Ms Mordaunt leaves a service at Westminster Abbey, London, in 2019, shortly after her appointment as UK defence secretary. Getty Images

Ms Mordaunt as secretary of state for international development at the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham in 2018. Getty Images

Leaving No 10 Downing Street after being appointed secretary of state for international development in November 2017. Getty Images

Ms Mordaunt takes part in a BuzzFeed News and Facebook live EU referendum debate in London in 2016, when she was minister of state for the armed forces. Getty Images

As part of Brexit referendum campaigning, Ms Mordaunt sits behind the wheel of the 'Vote Leave' battle bus as it stops in Portsmouth in May 2016. Getty Images

She visits RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland in 2015. Getty Images

Ms Mordaunt with her Labrador cross Penny Lane, during the Westminster Dog of The Year competition in 2012. Getty Images

If Penny Mordaunt was not too familiar to the British public before the Conservative Party leadership contest began, she will be by the time the race is run.

Flyers with her picture were placed on seats at the Michelin-starred Cinnamon Club in Westminster — as if guests at the launch of her campaign would need a reminder of who she is.

Only a few minutes later, they were in no doubt.

Amid a heatwave in Britain, Ms Mordaunt displayed her cool demeanour in a well-received speech on Wednesday.

If the trade minister achieves enough MP votes to be one of the final two candidates, her opponents will have reason to be concerned as she is currently most popular among the Conservative grassroots.

The Royal Navy reservist has demonstrated that she can hold a room as well as tear a strip off the opposition. This was shown by her evisceration of the deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party, Angela Rayner, in a House of Commons debate last year.

That could explain why the survey of the ConservativeHome members’ panel, that has proven accurate in the past, found Ms Mordaunt would beat the former chancellor Rishi Sunak by 58 per cent to 31 per cent, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss by 51 per cent to 33 per cent.

In a survey by YouGov, she achieved 12 per cent, followed by Mr Sunak on 10 per cent and Ms Truss on 8 per cent.

In the first round of the Tory leadership vote on Wednesday night, Ms Mordaunt's credentials were confirmed when she received 67 votes to finish second behind Mr Sunak (88). Ms Truss came third with 50 votes before the next ballot on Thursday.

Until Wednesday, Ms Mordaunt had largely remained silent, apart from releasing a slightly pedestrian video announcing her candidacy.

But, after largely winning over the press with her presentation, Ms Mordaunt is rapidly emerging as the dark horse who could win the race to become Britain’s next prime minister.

Speaking largely without notes, the former defence secretary delivered calm, measured arguments that did not over-promise.

Penny Mordaunt arrives at the Cinnamon Club as she launches her campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party in London. EPA

“Whitehall is broken and trust had to be restored,” she said, speaking from a lectern with her catching “PM4PM” logo and with a rather tattered — perhaps battle-scarred — British union flag behind her.

A mark of her growing power was the mass assembly of leading Westminster commentators packed in shoulder-to-shoulder in a small room.

Ms Mordaunt did not overstate her service background, but did refer to witnessing as a 9-year-old the Falklands task force set sail from Portsmouth to retake the South Atlantic islands from Argentina in 1982.

“My country stood up to bullies,” she said to applause. "[Britain] does not need a new role in the world, we just need to be ourselves."

On defence, where she briefly served as secretary of state in 2019, Ms Mordaunt vowed to “take tasks off the armed forces” by introducing a new “civil defence force”.

She also pledged to slash fuel tax and raise the tax-threshold of 40 per cent in line with inflation.

Whether she has the chance to deliver on her policies could prove the most fascinating fight in the coming days. Many commentators believe Ms Mordaunt is likely to reach at least the last three candidates during MPs’ voting.

Her pitch without notes was brave and she had distinct breaks between making points, showing the polish of speech-training that instructs the famous “Obama pause” during oration.

Flyers bearing the image of Conservative MP and Tory leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt on seats ahead of the launch her campaign in central London. AFP

Also, without referring to a written narrative is something that could charm Conservative Party members, as it did for former prime minister David Cameron in 2005. Those 200,000 activists are the path to power as they will vote for one of the last two remaining candidates that the parliamentary party puts forward.

Ms Mordaunt was introduced by fellow Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom, who came second in the 2016 leadership race. She was supported by a broad range of MPs from veteran Brexiteer David Davis, the outspoken Alicia Kearns, and the eccentric Michael Fabricant.

Who will replace Boris Johnson?

Conservative Party members will chose between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in the race to become Britain's next prime minister, after Penny Mordaunt was eliminated. PA

Rishi Sunak — former chancellor who resigned from his position last week. In a slick campaign video he said the government could not afford to fool voters about the difficulties ahead with ‘comforting fairy tales’. Getty Images

Liz Truss — the UK’s Foreign Secretary has pledged to start cutting taxes 'from day one' if she becomes prime minister, to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. She has also vowed to ‘take the vital steps necessary’ to protect the Good Friday Agreement. Getty Images

OUT OF THE RACE: Penny Mordaunt — Brexit-backing Trade Minister has insisted the Conservative Party was elected to ‘deliver a manifesto’. She played a prominent role in the Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum. Reuters

OUT OF THE RACE: Kemi Badenoch — former equalities minister has promised 'limited government' and 'a focus on the essentials'. She has said Boris Johnson was 'a symptom of the problems we face, not the cause of them'. Photo: UK Parliament

OUT OF THE RACE: Tom Tugendhat —Foreign Affairs Committee chairman and ‘Remainer’ aims to reverse the national insurance rise. He says the presence of Brexit party and Leave figures on his team is reassuring for Brexiteers. Reuters

OUT OF THE RACE: Suella Braverman — current Attorney General has promised 'rapid and large tax cuts' to ease inflation. She has said the energy crisis means 'we must suspend the all-consuming desire to achieve net zero by 2050'. Reuters

OUT OF THE RACE: Nadhim Zahawi — newly appointed Chancellor has promised to cut taxes and push ahead with the reforms he started in his previous role as education secretary, to ‘deliver a great education for every child’. PA

OUT OF THE RACE: Jeremy Hunt — runner-up to Boris Johnson in the 2019 leadership race, who has pledged to slash corporation tax to 15 per cent. He has also promised to back the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. AFP

OUT OF THE RACE: Rehman Chishti — newly appointed Foreign Office minister had spoken of the importance of lower taxes and having a small state with a big society. 'It’s about aspirational conservatism, it’s about fresh ideas and then it comes down to having a fresh team.' Getty Images

OUT OF THE RACE: Sajid Javid — experienced former health secretary had planned to scrap the government’s national insurance increase, bring forward the proposed 1p income tax cut to next year and introduce a further ‘significant’ temporary reduction on fuel duty. PA

OUT OF THE RACE: Grant Shapps — the Transport Secretary had said on TV: 'I am interested in the bread-and-butter issues that your viewers will be thinking about every single day of the week.' AP

Ms Mordaunt has several advantages over her current closest rivals, Mr Sunak and Ms Truss.

She did not serve in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, distancing herself from the toxicity of scandal and untruths. She is an original Brexiteer, unlike the convert Ms Truss. She does not carry Mr Sunak’s baggage of a police fine for coronavirus lockdown rule-breaking or questions over his wife’s tax status.

She also has strong social liberal views, that might appeal to One Nation Tories, although her apparent “woke” comments on transgender people have not endeared her to the right wing.

Asked about sexist comments currently being made behind-the-scenes about her, Ms Mordaunt stridently responded: “It’s because I’m a threat to their campaign.”

But she was also gracious in thanking Mr Johnson “for delivering Brexit”.

On the Cinnamon Club performance, it became clear why she is rapidly becoming the candidate to fear.

Towards the end of her fluent, 12-minute speech, Ms Mordaunt insisted she would be the “candidate that Labour fear most”. As the cheers faded, there must have consternation among the opposition ranks.

UK Conservatives on the leadership campaign trail - in pictures

Candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings at Wembley Arena, London. This was the final hustings attended by Tory Party members who will vote for the new leader and next prime minister. EPA

Liz Truss addresses Conservative Party members at Wembley Arena. AP

Mr Sunak puts forward his case to be leader while speaking at Wembley Arena. Bloomberg

Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy in Southampton, while on the campaign trail. Reuters

Ms Truss speaks to staff at Condimentum Ltd at the Food Enterprise Park in Norwich. Getty Images

A Rishi Sunak supporter at a hustings event in Norfolk. PA

Mr Sunak greets people at a leadership hustings in Manchester. Bloomberg

Ms Truss poses for a selfie with a supporter as she arrives for the event in Manchester. Getty

Rishi Sunak looks through the sights of an anti-tank missile launcher, supplied to Ukraine, during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP

Liz Truss at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event in Belfast. Getty

Liz Truss meets supporters before a hustings in Perth, Scotland. Getty

Rishi Sunak speaks during a campaign visit to Cluny Castle in Inverurie, Scotland. Getty

Police hold back protesters outside Perth Concert Hall, Scotland, where Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were speaking. PA

A mural showing the two leadership contestants appears on a wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP

Rishi Sunak during a visit to St John's Wood Synagogue, north London. PA

Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings in Cheltenham. EPA

Rishi Sunak during a hustings event in Cheltenham. Reuters

Liz Truss speaks to scientists during a campaign visit to a life sciences laboratory at Alderley Park in Manchester. PA

Rishi Sunak during a campaign hustings in Darlington, England. Bloomberg

Liz Truss meets party members before she speaks at the Darlington campaign hustings. Getty

Rishi Sunak arrives for the Darlington hustings. Getty

Liz Truss plays pool during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters

Rishi Sunak looks at a book with Teddy Openshaw, 4, as his father, Henry, looks on after a Conservative leadership campaign event in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England. Getty

Liz Truss plays table tennis with former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters

Liz Truss with supporters at a campaign event in Solihull, England. Reuters

Rishi Sunak attends a campaign event held by his party in Bexhill, England. Reuters

A protester is removed as Ms Truss speaks during the Conservative Party leadership hustings in Eastbourne. Bloomberg

Mr Sunak speaks at an event in Edinburgh. PA

Ms Truss leaves the hall in Exeter, south-west England, after her speech to a Conservative Party membership hustings. Getty

Mr Sunak speaks at the University of Exeter in south-west England. AP

A supporter of Ms Truss at a Conservative Party hustings in Exeter, south-west England. Getty

Ms Truss at a hustings event at the Pavilion conference centre at Elland Road in Leeds. PA

Mr Sunak in Salisbury watching a screening of the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley stadium. England won 2-1 in extra time. PA

Ms Truss before the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley stadium in London. AFP

Mr Sunak meets Tory members at Fontwell Park Racecourse. Reuters

Ms Truss at an event in Dereham, Norfolk. AFP

Mr Sunak in Ropley, near Winchester, Hampshire. PA

Ms Truss speaks as Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat looks on at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at Biggin Hill Airport. Getty

Ms Truss on the campaign trail in Woodford Green, on the outskirts of London. Reuters

Mr Sunak at a Conservative Party hustings event in Leeds. AFP

Ms Truss speaks at the hustings event in Leeds. AFP

Sunak and Truss-themed souvenirs at a stand during the Leeds hustings event. Reuters

Ms Truss, and her mother, Patricia, arrive for the hustings event. Getty

Ms Truss poses with supporters in Morley, England. Getty

Mr Sunak delivers a speech during a campaign event in Newmarket. AFP

Ms Truss and Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, during a visit to a broadband interchange company in Leeds. PA

Mr Sunak answers questions as he takes part in the hustings in Leeds. AFP

Ms Truss speaks at an event at a private house with members of the Conservative Party in Woodford Green. PA

Ms Truss and Mr Sunak pose for a picture before a BBC leadership debate at Victoria Hall in Hanley. Getty

Ms Truss addresses Mr Sunak during the televised debate. Getty

Mr Sunak, with daughters Krishna and Anushka, and wife Akshata Murthy, during a visit to Vaculug tyre specialists at Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham. PA

Ms Truss speaks to people while campaigning in Marden. Getty

Ms Truss celebrates after being named, along with Mr Sunak, one of the final two candidates in the race to become the UK's next prime minister. PA

Mr Sunak outside his campaign office in central London. EPA

Ms Truss outside Downing Street in London. Reuters

Rishi Sunak meets Conservative Party members and activists, in Teesport, Redcar. Reuters

Conservative leadership candidates Mr Sunak, Ms Truss, Kemi Badenoch, presenter Julie Etchingham, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt during 'Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate' in London. EPA

Ms Badenoch arrives at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, before a live television debate. PA

Mr Sunak arrives at a London event to launch his campaign to be the next Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister. Reuters

Mr Tugendhat appears on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA

Ms Badenoch, Ms Mordaunt, Mr Sunak, Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat before the live television debate. PA

Ms Mordaunt arrives for the launch of her Conservative leadership campaign at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. PA

Ms Truss speaks at the launch event for her campaign to become the next leader of the Tory Party and Britain's prime minister, in London. EPA

Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, one of the candidates who has been knocked out of the race, giving a speech at the Churchill War Rooms. PA

Former leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA

Sajid Javid attending the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader and prime minister, at the Cinnamon Club in London. He has since been knocked out of the contest. PA

Rehman Chishti is interviewed after announcing his bid to become the next prime minister. Mr Chishti is no longer in the race. Getty

Mr Tugendhat speaking at the launch of his campaign. PA

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith arrive for the Truss campaign launch event. Getty

Former leadership candidate Attorney General Suella Braverman at the Churchill War Rooms in central London. PA

Supporters of Mr Sunak wait for his arrival ahead of the campaign launch. Bloomberg

Mr Tugendhat makes a speech at the launch of his campaign. PA

Mr Javid mops his brow while launching his campaign. Getty

Ms Truss leaves for work after her announcement that she would be running for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Getty