Tonight, Rishi Sunak admitted that he is the ‘underdog’ in the Conservative leadership race, as the former chancellor made another error in his attempt to become prime minister.
Mr. Sunak admitted at the most recent Conservative hustings event in Manchester that he trails Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in the fight for Downing Street.
A new campaign film published this evening by Mr. Sunak’s team acknowledged that their candidate was ‘the underdog’; yet, the ex-Cabinet minister vowed to ‘fight until the last day of this battle’.
Mr. Sunak sought to make light of his misfortunes when he was asked at the debate how, as a supporter of Southampton football club, he might return to ‘winning ways’ in his bid to replace Boris Johnson.
His attempt at lighthearted joking with the Manchester crowd resulted in football knowledge errors.
Mr. Sunak stated at the event, “I’m going to be controversial for saying this, starting with beating United this weekend!”
It was swiftly pointed out that Southampton would not play Manchester United until the 27th of August, and that they would instead face Leicester City this weekend.
Mr. Sunak’s own goal occurred just two days after he was ridiculed for claiming to always enjoy a McDonald’s breakfast wrap when out with his daughters, despite the fact that the item has been discontinued since March 2020.
Michael Gove’s endorsement of the former chancellor as the next Conservative leader bolstered his candidacy tonight.
The former secretary of Levelling Up, who was fired by Mr. Johnson last month, accused Ms. Truss of taking a “vacation from reality” with her pledge to combat the cost-of-living crisis by prioritizing tax cuts.
The latest campaign film issued by Mr. Sunak’s campaign team last evening appeared to be a desperate attempt to get Tory members to vote for him instead of Ms. Truss.
The video stated, “They say to fear the underdog because the underdog has nothing to lose.”
A challenger battles for every inch. They work harder, stay longer, and are more intelligent. Underdogs don’t give up.’
The film also included footage of Mr. Sunak campaigning, including a scene in which he appeared to take a sleep between appearances.
Despite Mr. Sunak’s campaign now openly acknowledging he trails Ms. Truss, the former chancellor insisted he would not withdraw from the leadership race prematurely.
“As you saw in that video, I have traveled across the country,” he stated.
“I’ve addressed tens of thousands of our members… and wherever I travel, my message resonates.
“I’m winning the argument about addressing inflation, being responsible with our borrowing, and aiding vulnerable people this fall and winter,”
He continued, “I will fight until the final day of this competition, and I intend to continue until the end.”
Ms. Truss used the North West hustings event to criticize Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester.
She told Tory members, “What I want to see is a prosperous North of England where everyone has chances and we connect the great cities of the North, from Liverpool to Manchester to Leeds and beyond, as well as Bradford.”
Therefore, I wish to construct Northern Powerhouse Rail. And I want these chances to be fueled by industry and enterprise unleashing investment across.
I want the M62 to become the success superhighway. But let’s be honest, there is a black haze over this metropolis. There is also the pessimistic mayor, Andy Burnham.
He does not want automobiles to enter the city. He does not want commuters to be allowed to board the train to work. He would rather support violent labor unions.
He must be defeated because he is opposed to individuals in our city having access to opportunity.
Mr. Sunak also attempted to gain favor with local Tories by attacking Mr. Burnham’s police and order record and the mayor’s backing for striking rail employees.
Approximately 100 protesters greeted Tory party members as they arrived at Manchester Central convention hall for this evening’s hustings.
As individuals waited in line to enter, they were subjected to chants of “Tory scum off our streets” and “Tories out, refugees in.”
Tonight’s event in Manchester was the ninth of 12 formal hustings being held around the United Kingdom for Tory members as they pick between Ms. Truss and Mr. Sunak for the position of new party leader.
In less than three weeks, on September 5th, either Ms. Truss or Mr. Sunak will be named as Mr. Johnson’s successor, concluding the Conservative leadership contest.
On September 6, the winning candidate will formally assume office as prime minister.
Prior to tonight’s event, Labour criticized Ms. Truss over a controversial study she co-authored in 2009 while serving as the deputy director of the Reform think tank.
The seven authors of the memo, titled ‘Back to Black,’ including Ms. Truss, advocated eliminating £28 billion annually by charging consumers to visit their GP and reducing the salaries of registrars, consultants, GPs, and managers by 10%.
In addition, the report called for the abolition of universal child benefit, the removal of the winter fuel payment, and the cancellation of several major military procurement projects, including the Royal Navy’s planned aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, which were deemed “inappropriate defense projects.”
Labour stated that Ms. Truss’s report from thirteen years ago revealed her “true colors” and that “the reality of her plan is devastating budget cuts.”
However, the Foreign Secretary’s campaign attempted to dissociate the Tory contender for leadership from the paper.
A spokesman stated, “Co-authoring a document does not imply approval for every proposed action.”
Liz is focused on her innovative economic plan to stimulate growth, reduce taxes, and return money to the pockets of hardworking people.
At tonight’s Manchester debate, Ms. Truss avoided a question regarding the disputed study.
During the event hosted by GB News, Alastair Stewart attempted to inquire about the pamphlet from the Foreign Secretary.
He stated, “A contribution you made in 2019 about budgetary issues has resulted in…”
Ms. Truss quickly interjected, stating, “I believe that was 2009, Alastair.”
In addition, she said, “I’ve always felt you had excellent standards at GB News — you’re not the BBC, you get your facts right!”
Mr. Sunak also criticized Ms. Truss for her refusal to attend today’s National Farmer’s Union (NFU) debate in Warwickshire.
Mr. Sunak did attend the ceremony and pledged to run “the country’s most pro-farming and pro-rural government in decades.”
His team asserted that Ms. Truss’ absence “raises issues about her willingness to listen to the demands of farmers and the broader food industry.”
The Foreign Secretary will participate in a Zoom event with the NFU on September 1st, it was later confirmed.
Polls have repeatedly placed Ms. Truss as the obvious favorite to win the Tory leadership election, and elections expert Sir John Curtice has stated that he would be “extraordinarily startled” if she did not enter Downing Street.
He told The Times that the Foreign Secretary’s opponent, Mr. Sunak, would have to commit a “spectacular gaffe” to defeat her.
However, one of Mr. Sunak’s biggest allies, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, stated this morning that the former chancellor may pull a Brexit in 2016, despite the fact that numerous surveys projected Leave would not win.