Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch says Tory backbenchers threatening to revolt should unite behind the Prime Minister.
Liz Truss has been facing growing scrutiny from within her own party in recent weeks amid the fallout from her Government’s mini-budget.
The Prime Minister met with Conservative MPs at a 1922 Committee meeting on Wednesday, as a number of backbenchers were already talking of a revolt or alternative leadership.
Considering this, International Trade Secretary Ms Badenoch urged her party to “get behind” the Prime Minister’s growth plans.
The value of the pound plummeted following the Chancellor's mini budget
PA
Ms Badenoch said: “I think that at the moment, given what is happening globally – there is a war in Ukraine, there’s an inflation crisis, we’ve been talking about the cost of living for several months – what we need to focus on is getting behind the Prime Minister and her growth plans so that she can improve the economy for the country.”
Following the mini-budget, the value of the pound plummeted and polls suggested Labour was well ahead of the Tories in the polls.
Ms Badenoch disregarded talks of a general election and emphasised her own commitment to the Prime Minister’s plans.
When asked if she is concerned about the next election, she said: “No, that is absolutely not what is on my mind.
“I’m the Trade Secretary and I’m here to talk about trade, to talk about businesses in Scotland.
“I’m very focused on the Prime Minister’s growth agenda, selling exports and making sure that we continue to grow and create jobs for people.
“That is absolutely not the sort of thing that is on my mind at all.”
Kemi Badenoch
Jacob King