Tory backbench MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who also heads the European Research Group, is looking to hire a PR firm to boost his media presence and bolster his national exposure ahead of a potential leadership challenge against PM May, City A.M. reported on Tuesday.
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Mogg’s political allies reportedly interviewed a number of PR and brand management companies a few months ago, part of his apparent effort to become the leader of the Conservative Party and fight for the premiership, a source told The Times newspaper.
“They were asked to explain how, if Jacob was speaking at a university, they would go about maximizing the publicity and harvesting the greatest number of supporters who could later be converted into voting Tory members,” the source said.
Just a few days ago, the Eurosceptic politician announced that he had made a Snapchat account, as part of his wider effort to enhance his social and traditional media presence.
In the event of an intraparty leadership contest, other Tory MPs and cabinet officials, such as Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, have been singled out as potential candidates, alongside Mogg.
The UK voted to withdraw from the EU via a referendum just over two years ago, prompting negotiations between Britain and the trading bloc to discuss and agree the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the union.
Brexiteers have warned against the UK’s continued membership of the EU single market or customs union post-Brexit, describing a deal which involved this as a “betrayal.”
In a threat to PM May, some Tory politicians have warned that they would vote against such a deal even if it would collapse the government.
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