The two politicians will present themselves to the electoral process after failing to reach an agreement
Conservative Party members will decide who will become the party’s new leader and prime minister after Rishi Sunak’s public confirmation of his candidacy and Boris Johnson’s claim, in a virtual meeting with ‘Tory’ deputies, that he also likes plans to participate. The two had a meeting on Saturday evening, but did not agree on a division of posts in the future government.
Sunak has published his statement on the internet. In it, he presents himself as “the minister who led the economy in the most difficult times”, recalling the measures he took during the pandemic, and affirming that “the challenges we face are even greater, although the opportunities are phenomenal if we choose well.” He adds that he has “a plan to solve the most difficult problems”.
“In the government I lead there will be integrity, professionalism and accountability and I will work day and night,” he concluded. “I ask you for the opportunity to solve our problems, to lead our party and our country to the elections, trusting in our track record, steadfast in our convictions and ready to lead again.”
The context of the meeting of the two candidates fueled pessimism. Sunak’s resignation as finance minister has been interpreted by Johnson and his supporters as the epicenter of the tsunami of apostasy that ousted the former prime minister in July. Liz Truss’s election was partly due to continued allegations of disloyalty to Sunak, who won the MP vote but lost it in the party members’ casting vote.
Johnson is said to have offered Sunak a plan to re-establish the government that collapsed as a result of the parliamentary faction being fed up with the successive scandals caused by the prime minister. Johnson has allegedly promised his supporters in recent days that he would change “the culture” of his time at the head of the Executive in another term.
The former prime minister has summoned conservative deputies to a virtual meeting next Sunday at eight o’clock. One of the attendees described his appearance as elegant, underlining that there is a new Johnson, more formal and serious. One of those in attendance, Jacob Rees-Mogg, assured the BBC that the controversial former prime minister will confirm his candidacy.
In the record of deputies who have publicly declared who they will vote for, the BBC counts 133 for Sunak, 55 for Johnson and 23 for Penny Mordaunt, who appears to have no chance of entering the second phase unless something unexpected happens. A stream of deputies linked to the ‘Brexiter’ and the economically liberal faction have expressed support for Sunak. But Johnson is the party favorite.
The rules of the election require 100 supporters in the faction to move to the second stage. Doubts are being expressed about Johnson’s ability to reach that threshold, although those closest to him say he already has a hundred votes. Monday’s meeting of the European Research Group (ERG), which Johnson has supported in the past, could be crucial. Some relevant members distanced themselves from the ‘Prime Minister’ in July.
In these circumstances, Prime Minister Liz Truss has invited conservative deputies to a farewell party at the heads of government’s weekend residence.
Source: La Verdad
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