Rishi Sunak suffers another blow as former Environment Secretary George Eustice becomes latest senior Tory to step down at next election

Rishi Sunak has been handed another devastating blow as former Environment Secretary George Eustice became the latest senior Conservative to announce they will not be running at the next general election.

The Former Cabinet minister represents Camborne and Redruth in Cornwall and backed Sunak in the leadership race last summer.

In an interview with GB News in July he said the now Prime Minister had “good judgement” when it came to finance.

He said: “I think he’s got good judgement, we’ve got very difficult challenges ahead, particularly on the financial side as we emerge from the pandemic. We need that good judgement in our Prime Minister over the next few years.”

But now, in what will be a blow the Sunak's popularity in Parliament, Eustice has shared that he will not run at the next election.

In a statement, he said: “By the time of the next election, I will have been in politics for 25 years, including almost 15 years as a Member of Parliament.

“I will also be 53 and I want the opportunity to do a final career outside politics, so have decided not to seek re-election. This has been a difficult decision for me.

“I feel a deep bond to the area where my family have lived for over 400 years and it has been an honour to represent my home towns, but it is important that the Conservatives are able to select a new candidate in good time.”

It comes as Rishi Sunak struggles to recover from dire polling which at current puts Labour 24 points clear of the Conservatives.

Eustice joins a growing group of Tories who have said they will not be running for re-election.

These include Sajid Javid, Douglas Ross and Dehenna Davison.

Matt Hancock who lost the whip for his appearance on I’m a Celebrity also said he will not be running at the next election.