Leaked Tory dossier: Camilla Tominey answers your questions

This morning the Telegraph released a leaked memo which suggests that Theresa May will be forced to "stand down soon after March 2019", and includes a list of her potential successors' pros and cons. 

The dossier details the leadership prospects of a number of possible successors, including Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson. This lead our readers to take to the comment section and ask about the meaning behind the leak and speculate about who might replace the Prime Minister. Here are Camilla Tominey's responses:

@Jeremy Raybould: what advantage do you believe someone or other gains from this leak?

Camilla Tominey: None, necessarily as the memo doesn't say anything a lot of people in Westminster aren't already thinking although the "assumption" is obviously embarrassing for Number 10.

@Truth hurts: If you have no idea where the note came from, how can you be sure of its veracity?

CT: What do you mean by "its veracity?" The person who wrote it was giving a truthful assessment as far as they saw it. It has been circulated among MPs. If you can let me know what's "irresponsible" about reporting the fact that the memo was written and circulated, then fire away.

@Truth hurts: Its veracity = is it a genuine document, written by a member(s) of the Tory party?

You have stated above that you have no idea where it came from so by default, you cannot be sure that it is genuine. Surely?

CT: I can't really go into all that but you read the memo - apart from the spelling mistakes, did you think it was a fairly accurate description of the key protagonists?!

@David Holes: A few months back I thought that Raab had an excellent chance, but feel he's now overwhelmingly tainted by his new position and his stance on Chequers. Now think that Priti Patel or Penny Mordaunt have a good shot and that being women does give them an advantage too

CT:Girl Power. I don't disagree. Both are dark horses and Mordaunt has not shown her cards on Chequers yet but was said to be a very vocal opponent that weekend.

@David Holes: Agreed - but think we can guess where Mordaunt stands on Chequers. Both are good candidates in my opinion and, importantly, Brexiteers who would appeal to Leavers who don't like Boris (and there are many). Do you reckon they'd throw their hats into the ring?

@CT: I think it's highly likely, particularly Priti.

Camilla Tominey: I'm on QT with Vince Cable, does he adequately represent the remainers?

@Robbie Robertson: Not at all, if you're from the Remainer side of the Conservative Party, like me. However, the kipperisation of the Tories leaves us nowhere else to go. 

@Howard Holmfirth: Why have a mutiny after the event?  Does it not sound terribly cowardly and not very patriotic to you?

CT:Possibly, but the party is in disarray with MPs sounding off left right and centre (see my Mike Penning interview for further evidence of this) so mutiny isn't a bad description?

@Howard Holmfirth: I do not disagree with the word mutiny, my question is why not have it now before the die is cast?

CT: Ah, before Brexit? Because senior big Brexit beasts think all efforts should be focused on "chucking Chequers", not a leadership contest that could result in another remainer at the helm.

Read more about the leaked dossier, here.