RISHI Sunak is expected to formally enter the race to be PM tomorrow with a promise to fix Britain’s broken economy.
The former Chancellor is storming ahead in the contest with the backing of 121 Tory MPs — easily enough to land him a spot in the final.
Rishi Sunak is expected to formally enter the race to be PM tomorrow with a promise to fix Britain’s broken economy
The former Chancellor is storming ahead in the contest with the backing of 121 MPs – easily enough to land him a post in the final
In a major coup for Mr Sunak, he bagged the endorsements of three party big beasts covering all major party factions.
Tory big hitters Kemi Badenoch, Lord David Frost and David Davis all weighed in behind Rishi yesterday afternoon.
After a turbulent six weeks that saw the markets nosedive and debt balloon, Mr Sunak will pitch himself as a safe pair of hands to rebuild the economy.
If he does manage to clinch victory in the contest, it would mark a sensational turnaround for the MP for Richmond, North Yorks.
Just six short weeks ago he lost the Tory leadership race to Liz Truss.
He was savaged Tory MPs for being too gloomy after he warned that Liz’s promises of monster tax cuts would tank the economy and send mortgage costs soaring.
And voters railed against his mega wealth – his wife is a billionaire who is richer than the King.
But Mr Sunak’s economic warnings have all been proven right.
Last night, he was buoyed by the three Tory heavyweights adding their names to the growing chorus calling for his premiership.
Ms Badenoch, a Tory rising star who also stood in the last leadership race, said Mr Sunak is the only candidate who can unite the party — and compared him to Margaret Thatcher.
She said: “I’m backing Rishi not because he would be the country’s first ethnic minority Prime Minister, but because he would be a great leader during a time of crisis and difficulty.
“I believe he understands the necessity for unity and bringing others along on the journey before making difficult decisions, just like Mrs Thatcher did.”
Ms Badenoch is hugely popular with the right of the party.
Lord David Frost — who used to be Boris Johnson’s Brexit enforcer and is a close friend — also called for Mr Sunak to be installed at No10.
Kemi Badenoch said Mr Sunak is the only candidate who can unite the party
Lord David Frost also called for Rishi to be installed at No10
He said: “Boris Johnson will always be a hero for delivering Brexit. But we must move on.
“It is simply not right to risk repeating the chaos and confusion of the last year. The Tory Party must get behind a capable leader who can deliver a Conservative programme. That is Rishi Sunak.”
And Tory grandee David Davis – who backed Penny Mordaunt last time – also gave his support to Rishi.
He said: “What is also clear is that electing Rishi will stabilise the markets whereas Boris would destabilise them.
“No amount of showmanship and charm will make up for costlier mortgages and dearer food.”
Mr Davis urged Rishi to appoint a unity Cabinet to heal the divided Tory Party, with Ben Wallace staying as Defence Secretary and Jeremy Hunt in as Chancellor.
Mr Davis is understood to have done a deal to back Rishi over lunch in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
David Davis is understood to have done a deal to back Rishi over lunch in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon
As Ms Truss’s premiership collapsed, the two men are said to have struck an accord over baked salmon in the members’ dining room.
Throughout the summer’s leadership election race, Mr Sunak was plagued by accusations he stabbed Mr Johnson in the back with his resignation as Chancellor.
His letter — delivered moments after ally Sajid Javid also quit — triggered a wave of around 60 ministerial resignations, giving Boris no option but to stand down as PM.
But over the past five days, Mr Sunak has been on a charm offensive of Tory MPs. Holed up in his parliamentary office in the House of Commons, he has been having them in for cups of tea and chats to lure them onto his side.
One said: “He was pitching himself as the unity candidate.”
Yesterday, Mr Sunak also won the backing of ex-Cabinet minister Steve Barclay, who tweeted: “I’m backing Rishi Sunak to be leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. Our country faces significant economic challenges and he is best placed to address this.”
And Ms Badenoch suggested Mr Johnson should step aside for the sake of the nation and the party.
Mr Sunak was plagued by the accusation he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back when he resigned as Chancellor
She tweeted: “The party needs a unifying figure to do what’s right for the UK. At this moment, I believe that person is Rishi. I’m a fan of Boris but his return, given all that’s happened, would not bring people together. We all need to set aside our differences and work for the greater good.”
Mr Sunak was urged by cabinet big beasts to ditch MPs who have been “engaged in the dark arts.”
Defence Sec Ben Wallace, who still “leans” towards Boris, told the Sunday Times that Rishi allies like Gavin Williamson and Julian Smith should not be handed top jobs.
Mr Wallace said: “Rishi has to jettison some of the people around him who have been engaged in the dark arts and destabilising the government, such as Gavin Williamson and Julian Smith. MPs do not want to see them rewarded.”
Late last night, senior Tories said it looked like Mr Sunak had the momentum to win the race. One said: “It feels like Rishi now.”
