Rishi Sunak declares he will stand to be next Prime Minister after Boris Johnson's resignation

Rishi Sunak declares he will stand to be next Prime Minister after Boris Johnson's resignation
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Jamie  Micklethwaite

By Jamie Micklethwaite


Published: 08/07/2022

- 16:24

Updated: 08/07/2022

- 16:57

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer's resignation was one of the incidents that led to Boris Johnson's downfall

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has officially thrown his hat in the ring to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingom.

He wrote: "I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.


"Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country."

In a three-minute video launching his campaign to be Conservative Party leader, former chancellor Rishi Sunak focuses on the history of his family.

File photo dated 18/05/22/ of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak speaking at the CBI annual dinner at the Brewery in London. Mr Sunak has resigned as Chancellor, writing on Twitter: %22I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.%22 Mr Sunak has resigned along with Health Secretary Sajid Javid, as the Prime Minister was forced into a humiliating apology over his handling of the Chris Pincher row after it emerged he had forgotten about being told of previous allegations of %22inappropriate%22 conduct. Issue date: Tuesday July 5, 2022.
Rishi Sunak
Jonathan Brady

He says: “Let me tell you a story. About a young woman, almost a lifetime ago, who boarded a plane armed with hope for a better life and the love of her family. This young woman came to Britain, where she managed to find a job, but it took her nearly a year to save enough money for her husband and children to follow her.

“One of those children was my mother, aged 15. My mum studied hard and got the qualifications to become a pharmacist. She met my dad, an NHS GP, and they settled in Southampton.

“Their story didn’t end there, but that is where my story began.”

His move came as allies of former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt – who was runner-up to Mr Johnson in 2019 – said he was “virtually certain” to stand again this time.

Tom Tugendhat became the first candidate to declare he would be standing for Prime Minister after Mr Johnson's resignation

More to follow...

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