Rishi Sunak is the “free market trader” Britain needs, his supporters have said, as he surges in the number of MPs backing him.
Amid criticism from the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg over the tax increases he introduced while chancellor, Mr Sunack was this morning defended by supporters including Liam Fox, a former cabinet minister.
“I want to see Brexit succeed,” Mr Fox said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “I think the Tory electorate will want to see a candidate who supports and campaigns. I want to see someone who is a free trader, I want to see someone who is a free trader.
“I think it’s irresponsible and immoral to spend money today and let people pick up the bill tomorrow.” What we need is to focus on entrepreneurs, creativity in Britain and that’s what I think Rishi will do.”
Speaking to Sky News, Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, said: “The question really is the direction the public will take… I’m afraid the problem Rishi has if you press me, unfortunately, because of his record as chancellor he must now double the high tax office he occupied.”
The Tory leadership race has intensified in the past few hours as Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch used newspaper articles to make their case.
Follow the latest updates below.
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