As the race to replace Boris Johnson gets intense, former British finance minister Rishi Sunak has thrown his hat into the ring to replace prime minister Boris Johnson with a promise to rebuild trust.
Recall that Mr. Sunak’s resignation on Tuesday helped to trigger an avalanche of ministerial resignations.
He took to Twitter today to announce his decision saying: “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.”
I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 8, 2022
Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country. #Ready4Rishi
Sign uphttps://t.co/KKucZTV7N1 pic.twitter.com/LldqjLRSgF
His move came as allies of former UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt – who was runner-up to Mr Johnson in 2019 – said he was “virtually certain” to stand again this time.
In a glossy launch video in which he set out his family history, Mr. Sunak said: “Our country faces huge challenges, the most serious for a generation.
“And the decisions we make today will decide whether the next generation of British people will also have the chance of a better future.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson has continued to resist demands to stand down as British prime minister and hand over to his deputy, Dominic Raab, until a permanent successor is in place.
“Them’s the breaks,” Johnson said as he addressed the British public outside Downing Street. He added that he was “sad to be giving up the best job in the world” and conceded that “no one is remotely indispensable” in politics.
The 58-year-old former London mayor said he plans to stay on as caretaker prime minister while a successor is chosen, defying calls from across the political spectrum — including from some within his party — to go immediately.