THE phoney war is over and the Conservative leadership race has now started in earnest.

In normal times, a new party leader would be expected to take over in opposition which would allow time for the selection of the shadow ministerial team and policy development.

We do not have that luxury of time now.

Whoever emerges as Conservative leader will also become the Prime Minister of our United Kingdom and face leading us through the process of respecting our 2016 Referendum decision and setting a strong domestic agenda.

I know that people want to hear more about improving law and order, education and health but the media only has time for Brexit.

Some people look at the process of choosing a leader and are dismayed that they do not have a direct say.

They would like to vote on who should be Prime Minister.

We, however, have a Parliamentary democracy which fundamentally respects and values the constituency tie to the MP, rather than a Presidential system such as that in the USA or France.

Our MPs have the right to choose the individual, from amongst their number in their political party, to lead them in Parliament.

The final decision will actually be given to the members of the Conservative Party to choose our leader just as it is with Labour.

In fact, we have in recent years, been going through an unusual period where Prime Ministers frequently step down in office and have to be replaced.

This happened with Gordon Brown succeeding Tony Blair as well as Theresa May taking over from David Cameron.

In Labour’s last leadership race, they had a choice of two candidates, but this year, Conservatives had a choice of ten.

Just as there is a broad range of candidates on offer, they come with a whole range of backgrounds and policy agendas.

I do think that ten candidates in the first round was too many, so I am now looking forward to the later stages of the contest when the strongest candidates remain.

Naturally, Brexit is the dominant issue that will be discussed but there is also a strong focus on education and law and order as we would always expect with the Conservative Party.

I am particularly interested in ensuring that new investment is brought to our local towns and that there is an improved agenda on devolution.

People viewing the government will be disappointed with the current state of our Parliament but there will be, with the election of a new leader, the opportunity for the Conservative Party to unite and set a strong domestic agenda of job creation and delivering essential public services.

The picture could not be more different in Labour where Jeremy Corbyn is continuing to cause division.

Labour have the leader they want but the Conservatives are in the business of choosing the Prime Minister the country needs.

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