Mel Stride: The Dark Horse in Tory Leadership Race Aims for Unity

Mel Stride, the current work and pensions secretary, has emerged as an unexpected contender in the Conservative Party leadership race. Despite bookmakers giving him odds as long as 40-1 and predicting an early exit, Stride remains confident in his ability to surprise.

At 63 years old, Stride is the most senior candidate in the contest. He entered Parliament in 2010 at the age of 48, representing Central Devon. His political career has seen him serve in various roles, including Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 2017 to 2019 and briefly as Leader of the House of Commons.

Stride positions himself as a moderate, unity candidate capable of bridging the party's internal divisions. He believes his appeal extends beyond party lines to the wider electorate. This stance is particularly relevant given the recent general election, where Stride narrowly retained his seat by a mere 61 votes.

In terms of policy, Stride has proposed innovative ideas to attract younger voters. One such proposal involves exempting first-time job starters from £5,000 of National Insurance payments, diverting these funds into ISAs to help with home deposits. This approach demonstrates his focus on addressing economic challenges faced by different demographics.

Stride's background as a former businessman and Treasury minister informs his economic approach. He has emphasized his ability to scrutinize Labour's economic policies, particularly those of Sir Keir Starmer. During his tenure as work and pensions secretary, Stride has focused on tackling worklessness, with a particular emphasis on the over-50s demographic.

"My two biggest heroes are John F Kennedy, whose space race mantra of doing things 'not because they are easy, but because they are hard' provided my inspiration as an entrepreneur, and Field Marshal William Slim, who led the Fourteenth Army in the Burma campaign in the Second World War."

Regarding Brexit, Stride voted to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum. However, he has since adopted a pragmatic stance, acknowledging the need to capitalize on new opportunities arising from the UK's departure from the EU.

Stride's campaign has not been without controversy. In 2019, questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest related to his father's business selling tax investigation insurance. Stride firmly denied any impropriety, stating that his father's business had no influence on his role as a Treasury minister.

As the leadership contest unfolds, Mel Stride remains determined to prove himself as a viable candidate. His experience, moderate stance, and focus on unity could potentially resonate with party members seeking a leader capable of healing divisions and appealing to a broad spectrum of voters.