Former Tory management contender Penny Mordaunt has endorsed Liz Truss within the race to be prime minister, in an enormous blow to Rishi Sunak.
Ms Mordaunt introduced her backing for the overseas secretary as she launched her on the newest Conservative management hustings in Exeter, declaring Ms Truss as “the hope candidate” who “knows what she believes in”.
She added that the overseas secretary would “clobber our opponents”.
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Ms Mordaunt was the ultimate candidate to be knocked out of the competition final month within the fifth spherical poll, leaving Ms Truss and Mr Sunak to go head-to-head for Conservative Party members’ votes.
The commerce minister and former defence secretary got here second in all earlier rounds of voting, however a late surge by Ms Truss – who gained 27 votes in 24 hours – value her a spot on the poll, with solely eight votes separating them.
Addressing the viewers, Ms Mordaunt stated: “This is not nearly one individual.
“This is about all of us, and I know its not easy, you feel huge responsibility. I do too.
“That is the worth, I’m afraid, of democracy. If we get this determination improper, we’ll quick change the nation.
“We may lose an election and everything that we have worked for will be gone. That’s why this matters so much – why you feel that responsibility.”
She added: “I could have remained undeclared, I could be off sipping pina coladas right now but I am not I am here with you because this is too important.
“And I’m not going to depart this to probability, and nor will you. I got here third on this contest and I owe it to all of you to be a signpost not a weathervane.
“And so I’ve made my choice – I know its difficult because I like both candidates.
“I wish to say good issues about each of them, which might be why I got here third.
“I’ve seen enough to know who the person I’m going to put my faith in is. And that is Liz Truss.”
Making her entrance onto the stage, Ms Truss thanked Ms Mordaunt for her help.
“It’s fantastic to have the support of Penny Mordaunt,” she stated.
“She’s a great person, a great politician and a great patriot – and I am proud to call her my friend.”
Fellow former management candidate Tom Tugendhat additionally endorsed Ms Truss final week.
Writing in The Times, Mr Tugendhat stated that the overseas secretary’s guarantees of tax cuts are based mostly on “true Conservative principles” and that she will be able to unite the get together.
He stated: “Liz has always stood up for British values at home, and abroad. With her at the helm, I have no doubt that we will move with determination to make this country safer and more secure.”
Mr Sunak was initially the frontrunner within the race, profitable probably the most help from MPs within the first few rounds of voting.
But polling has proven Ms Truss is extra in style amongst get together members, who will in the end determine who would be the chief and subsequent prime minister.
The members’ poll will shut on 2 September, and whoever is known as the winner on 5 September is predicted to interchange Mr Johnson as prime minister the next day.
Source: information.sky.com”