Suddenly it is the job that everyone wants.  While Theresa May has cut an increasingly Billy-no-mates figure as Prime Minister over recent months, all of a sudden there appears to be a new wind of change outside No. 10 to blow the tumbleweed away.

To date, thirteen candidates have put their name forward to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and ipso facto the next Prime Minister.  These are James Cleverly, Michael Gove, Sam Gyimah, Matt Hancock, Mark Harper, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Boris Johnson, Andrea Leadsom, Kit Malthouse, Esther McVey, Dominic Raab and Rory Stewart.

It is the top job in the country––England football captain and head taster at Fuller’s Brewery excepted––so it would be expected that the candidates for the post must all display an impressive portfolio of quantifiable skills and come with a proven background of recognised success.

One would think.

Instead, what do we have?  A depressing line-up characterised by a litany of failure––in Brexit negotiations; in health; in prison reform––and united by a single driving force: ambition.

The current race to the top is a salutary illustration of Peter’s Corollary in action, and the rottenness that has bedevilled British management for several generations: reward for failure.

And it is in this climate of mediocrity that I offer my own candidacy for the position of Tory leader.  My pitch: “I’m no worse than the rest.”

Rally behind my campaign: #BeerySueforPM

So far, the only thing that is a surprise is that Chris Grayling hasn’t thrown his hat into the contest.

© Beery Sue

Beery Sue feels that she lends herself to a hashtag.