UNITY! That is the Tory watchword now - having learned what disaster disunity brings.

So what do we have now, as the race for the vacated party leadership hots up?

No fewer than six contenders.

To be sure, there might now be seven hats in the ring if Michael Heseltine's health had not forced him out of the running.

But what does this tell us?

That the Tories have a wealth of leadership material?

Or simply a glut of gaping factions?

Unity? It looks like it will be a long time before the new Tory leader can be sure of that.

And if that's the case, a long time before he and his colleagues can hope for power.

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