Matt Hancock has endorsed Rishi Sunak in the campaign to become the next Prime Minister, stating that Britain needs “new leadership,” while Dominic Raab has called Sunak the “outstanding contender.”
Mr. Hancock, the former secretary of state for health, stated in a tweet that he had worked closely with contenders Mr. Sunak, Boris Johnson, and Penny Mordaunt and admired them all.
He wrote: “In light of the current economic crisis and the necessity to restore authoritative leadership, @RishiSunak is the most qualified candidate to lead our nation. I will vote for Rishi and I hope you will too.
Mr. Raab stated this morning on SkyNews that Mr. Sunak was the ‘leading contender’ and that it was ‘impossible to see’ how Mr. Johnson could become prime minister again while ‘occupied and distracted’ by the fallout from partygate.
Mr. Raab, the former deputy prime minister, stated that there is a “crisis of confidence and trust in the administration” and that Mr. Sunak is the “ideal candidate to rebuild that trust.”
After political upheaval, Mr. Hancock stated in a statement that the country requires “new leadership” and that Mr. Sunak “checks all the boxes.”
He penned, “He has excellent judgment, purposefulness, and character.”
After the instability of the past few months, we require a Prime Minister who can restore confidence in the markets and in the Conservative party.
“Rishi’s views on the economy have been validated, and he has the experience to deliver.” It is not enough to say that you want to deliver; you must also know how.’
“On the global stage, we must support entrepreneurs, reduce regulations, and secure free trade agreements while promoting our liberal principles. Rishi will complete the task.
For these reasons, I am supporting Rishi Sunak and urging my fellow Conservatives to rally behind him.
Mr. Raab told SkyNews that he was “confident” Mr. Sunak would run for Tory leadership and that he has been “consistently right about what we need to get financial stability restored to get inflation down, mortgage interest rates down, and get investment up for millions of workers and businesses across the nation.”
This is the primary economic obstacle we face. In addition, we have a political obstacle and a crisis of confidence and faith in the government.
Again, I believe he is the ideal candidate to restore the public’s trust, form a cabinet comprised of all the talents within the Conservative Party, and refocus the government on the objectives of the British people.
Despite expressing support for his opponent, both Mr. Hancock and Mr. Raab commended Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Hancock stated that he supported Mr. Johnson because he had the “greatest chance to resolve the Brexit paralysis” and defeat Jeremy Corbyn, whom he referred to as “the most dangerous Labour leader I have ever seen in my lifetime.”
He continued by stating that he was proud of what he and Mr. Johnson had accomplished together, including the distribution of vaccines.
Mr. Raab also praised Mr. Johnson, for whom he served as deputy prime minister, by stating that he “honors him tremendously.”
However, he stated that the committee on standards and privileges was just days away from hearing testimony on partygate, which might result in the suspension of Mr. Johnson if it is determined that he deceived Parliament.
Mr. Raab stated that he believed this would involve Mr. Johnson giving oral testimony and that a Prime Minister with a “laser-like focus on the issues facing the UK” was required at this time.