British Transport Minister Grant Shapps announced on Saturday his candidacy to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and Prime Minister, after four other MPs also ran for the post.
From the pages of the newspaper The Sunday TimesShapps has said that, if elected, he will prepare an emergency budget to deal with current inflation, including tax cuts and aid for energy-intensive businesses.
Shapps has announced his candidacy after Johnson announced last Thursday his resignation as Conservative leader and, therefore, as head of the Government of the United Kingdom.
In addition to Shapps, former Minister of Economy Rishi Sunak have communicated their aspirations; the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, Tom Tugendhat; Attorney General Suella Braverman and former Secretary of State for Equalities Kemi Badenoch.
The transport minister has added that he wants to rebuild the economy and address the cost of living crisis.
Because of covid, he added, there was “a necessary and extraordinary expansion of state spending and an unprecedented level of state interference in people’s private lives.”
In the coming days it is expected that other “heavyweights” of the formation will announce their candidacies, among them the former Minister of Health Sajid Javid; the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liz Truss, and the former Minister of the Foreign Office Jeremy Hunt.
Another of the favorites, Defense Minister Ben Wallace, has ruled out appearing in these primaries this Saturday, indicating on his Twitter account that he is focused on maintaining the security of the country.
After careful consideration and discussing with colleagues and family, I have made the decision not to enter the contest for leadership of the Conservative Party. I am very grateful to all my parliamentary colleagues and wider members who have pledged support. 1/2
— Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) July 9, 2022
Next Monday, the influential 1922 Committee, which brings together conservative deputies without portfolio, will elect its executive and will announce the calendar to elect the new leader.
Johnson was forced to resign after more than 50 members of his government resigned in protest at his management and the scandals of recent months, including the party at the Downing Street residence during the pandemic.
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