Former British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak This Sunday confirmed his candidacy for Conservative party primaries To replace Liz Truss at the head of the formation in power and the Government of the United Kingdom.
The party began an internal process to choose its new leader after Truss announced his resignation on Thursday as a result of the turmoil that his economic program, with tax cuts that he was later forced to reverse, has brought to markets.
Sunak announced his candidacy via his Twitter account, in which He stated that the UK was facing a “deep economic crisis” and that his aim was to move past this situation and unite the party.
“The choice our party makes now will decide whether the next generation of Britons will have more chances than the previous one. That is why I am running for your next Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party.
The politician stressed that he was responsible for the economy in the “most difficult moments” that the country is going through, in reference to the epidemic, and noted that “the challenges we face are greater. But the opportunities, if we make the right decision, are enormous.”
Former Economy Minister Boris Johnson assured Boris Johnson that he had a plan to solve the major problems plaguing the country, and promised to deliver on the electoral promises made by his party in the 2019 general election. The level of government I lead and I will work all the time to get the job done.”
Sunak ended his statement by calling for him to be given the opportunity to solve problems and lead his party to victory in the next general election (2024). According to sources from his campaign, Sunak already has the support he needs (100 or more) to reach this formation primaries.
Conservative politicians who want to introduce themselves have until 2:00 PM local time (1:00 PM GMT) on Monday to do so.
In addition to Sunak, leader of the Conservative parliamentary bloc in the House of Commons, Penny Mordauntconfirmed his candidacy, although he has, at the present time, the support of only 23 deputies.
Looking back on Monday, if there are three candidates, Tory MPs will vote for one and the latter two will be subject to an online vote by party associates.
The former prime minister cut short his Caribbean vacation to return to Britain on Saturday, when allies reported he had broadcast that he was “ready” to enter the competition. However, he has not yet officially announced his presidential candidacy.
Johnson, 58, left office early last month after a revolt between his government and Conservative Party lawmakers sparked by the resignation of Sunak and others after months of controversy.
Buoyed by several hints from Johnson himself, there has been speculation since then that he might try to make a comeback, although few expected him to do so quickly.
The character of Brexit, always effervescent, remains popular with part of the Conservative MPs and the party. But his brand with the electorate has been hit hard by his three-year tenure that has been plagued by scandal.
A recent YouGov poll showed that about two-thirds of respondents had an unfavorable opinion of him.
Johnson has kept a low profile since his resignation, taking several vacations and giving a paid speech in the US last week, which was followed by his now abridged trip to the Caribbean.
It is believed that he favored Truss in his first Conservative leadership contest, although his former chief aide, Dominic Cummings, now a leading critic, argued that this was because he expected his term to be disastrous and short-lived, paving the way for him. Back.
(with information from the EFE and AFP)
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