Penny Mordaunt plots comeback with warning against Trumpian policies for Britain
Penny Mordaunt has warned that Britain cannot follow the same populist path as Donald Trump’s America as it plans a return to British politics.
The former Tory cabinet minister and leadership candidate has warned against Nigel Farage’s Reform and many in his own party, including Robert Jenrick, trying to emulate what Trump has done in the US.
The former House of Commons leader has also hinted that he is considering returning to the House of Commons sooner rather than later if the right by-election opportunity arises.
To talk Independent The former MP issued a stern warning to those who want to copy Trump at the launch of his new book on British customs.
He said: “The parallels with the US are pretty stark. You know, we have this incredible rule book that’s been crafted over 1,000 years and it’s been tested to its stress limits. You can’t have the kind of imposition of institutions in the US right now that continues with the president seizing power.”
“I think this country has a unique feeling. It admires service. It doesn’t like the concentration of power in one person. It loves justice, it’s incredibly tolerant and it loves people getting along and coming together.
He added: “All of this is helped by our incredible rules and traditions. So I say ‘good luck’ to anyone who wants to try and upset this. I think it’s a lesson. Doing it the Trump way in the US might work, he’s certainly been able to make things happen there.”
Ms Mordaunt also warned that despite Reformation’s claims, she did not believe they truly reflected the UK.
“I really don’t think so, although they drape themselves in the Union flag [Reform] Have an understanding of the people of this country as they claim to be.”
He has previously denied rumors that he would take the Yorkshire seat of Richmond and North Allerton if Rishi Sunak decides to resign, but many want to see him back in parliament given the Conservative Party’s uncertainty under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership.
He said: “So if I don’t come back [to parliament as an MP]It won’t be because of the desire to try. It’s a great job and you can do a lot about it. And I think having been in this business for the last 15 years, I have an idea of how to do things, and I want to come back and contribute.”
Asked if she would look into the by-election, Ms Mordaunt added: “It’s all a matter of luck and timing. I’ll be prepared for every eventuality.”
The new book, co-written with Chris Lewis, founder of marketing agency Team Lewis, documents hundreds of years of events and traditions in the UK; Ms Mordaunt uses it to discuss her own defeat as an MP, as well as her party’s defeat in the last general election, and the political philosophy needed to turn their fortunes around.
It was inspired by her now-famous appearance at King Charles’ coronation, when she carried the sword of state before him. The book includes some of the hundreds of drawings that children sent to him after the event.
But the former minister also sees his book as an important way of helping his party in power, which he believes is “out of touch” with the innate values and traditions of the British people.
The best example of this is a chapter Mr Sunak retells in his book in which, in his view, it cost Portsmouth North the election.
Ms Mordaunt lost her seat by just 780 votes and, citing in the book how she was defeated, put the blame on Rishi Sunak’s advisers.
“I think the D-Day episode was a prime example of us being disconnected from the values of the nation and most of Rishi’s help failed to do that,” he said.
