Liz Truss wins backing of former Tory leadership rival Penny Mordaunt | Politics News
Former Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt has backed Liz Truss in the run for prime minister, a blow to Rishi Sunak.
Ms Mordaunt declared her support for the foreign secretary as she introduced her at the latest Conservative leadership conference in Exeter, declaring Ms Truss a “candidate of hope” who “knows what she believes in”. .
She added that Ms Truss would “thwart our opponents”.
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Miss Mordaunt was the last candidate to be eliminated from the competition Last month in the fifth round of voting, which pitted Ms Truss and Mr Sunak over Conservative votes.
The Secretary of Commerce and the former Secretary of Defense placed second in all previous rounds of voting, but rose late by Ms. Truss – who gained 27 votes in 24 hours – won her a spot on the ballot, with only eight votes separating them.
Addressing the audience, Ms Mordaunt said: “This is not just about one person.
“This is about all of us, and I know it’s not easy, you feel a huge responsibility. Me too.
“I’m afraid that’s the price of democracy. If we make the wrong decision, we will change the country.
“We could lose an election and everything we worked for would be gone. That’s why this is so important – why you feel that responsibility.”
She added: “I may still be undeclared, I could stop sipping pina coladas right now, but I’m not, I’m here with you because this is so important.
“And I’m not going to leave this to chance, and neither should you. I finished third in this competition, and I owe it to you all to be a signpost, not a weather car.
“And so I made my choice – I know it’s hard because I like both candidates.
“I want to say good things about both of you, that’s probably why I finished third.
“I’ve seen enough to know who I would put my trust in. And that’s Liz Truss.”
As she stepped onto the stage, Ms. Truss thanked Ms. Mordaunt for her support.
“It’s been great to have Penny Mordaunt’s support,” she said.
“She was a great person, a great politician and a great patriot – and I am proud to call her my friend.”
Former leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat also endorsed Ms Truss last week.
Writing in The Times, Mr Tugendhat said that the country’s foreign minister’s promises of tax cuts were based on “real Conservative principles” and that she could unite the party.
He said: “Liz has always supported British values at home and abroad. With her leadership, I have no doubt that we will be determined to make this country safer and more secure. “
Mr Sunak was initially the lead in the race, winning the most support from MPs in the first few rounds of voting.
But polls show Ms Truss more popular with party members who will ultimately decide who will be the next leader and prime minister.
Voting by members will end on September 2 and whoever is named the winner on September 5 is expected to replace Mr Johnson as prime minister the next day.