Next month we may well have a new, non-placeholder Shadow Cabinet.
But before we wave goodbye to the men and women of the interregnum, let’s take a final look at how they’re doing.
In terms of the podium, there’s no change in positions: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat are still the most popular members of the Conservative front bench. Though of course, whilst that’s no change in positions, what has changed, after last week, is how much that matters.
But there has been a shift; whereas the Shadow Housing Secretary’s score is essentially unchanged from last month, both of her former leadership rivals have made up significant ground. Cleverly has gained 16 points and closed the gap with her to just eight, whilst Tugendhat has gained 13 points.
Meanwhile Jeremy Hunt has bobbed back up the rankings to fourth place with a very impressive increase of over 18 points.
For those looking for any ‘final two’ leadership race edge, Robert Jenrick doesn’t feature of course as he’s not in the Shadow Cabinet.
Beyond that, perhaps the most interesting thing about this league table is that it is overall much more buoyant than last month: only two ministers, Rishi Sunak and Andrew Mitchell, are in negative ratings, whereas a full 20 have posted double-digit scores (versus just eight last month).
Is this simply Conservative members feeling a little more optimistic about things, given the rancid time Labour is having in office? That was certainly the mood at Party Conference.
Has that changed now the leadership field has been whittled down to Badenoch and Jenrick, with those numbers for Cleverly and Tugendhat now more consolation prize than energisers.
Whatever the reason for bouyancy, it’s a favourable wind for the next leader – let’s hope they can catch it.
