Welsh Minister Sir Robert Buckland has become the first Cabinet minister to publicly switch his support for the Tory leadership from Rishi Sunak to Liz Truss.
Writing for the Telegraph, Buckland cited Truss’ emphasis on the economy as the main reason for his defection.
He wrote: “I know both candidates well and have worked with them in government and in cabinet.
“I looked first at ideas and principles, then at personalities. During the parliamentary rounds, I supported Rishi Sunak as I felt he was at this stage and embodied what we needed.
“As the campaign progressed and as I listened carefully to both candidates, I thought deeply about the issues that concern me and what I want to do as the next Prime Minister. It’s not easy to change your mind on an issue like this, but I’ve decided that Liz Truss is the right person to lead our country forward.”
While he had said in a video message released on July 14 that Sunak’s “clear thinking” was what would help “get through these challenging economic times”, Buckland now hailed Truss’ economic stewardship in his recent statement.
He said: “Liz understands the need to deliver supply-side reforms, unlocking the private sector that fuels our economic growth through investment and securing high-skilled jobs.
“Her plans give us the best chance to fulfill our potential with the high-growth, high-productivity economy we need not only to get out of this crisis, but to protect ourselves from the next one.”
The former Lord Chancellor also underlined Truss’ commitment to the British Bill of Rights – which would override the powers of the European Court of Human Rights – after Strasbourg blocked the deportation of asylum seekers from Britain to Rwanda in June.
“We as members of the Conservative Party face a choice that is much bigger than all of us. Now it’s about the country, about the security and prosperity of our friends, families and neighbors,” Buckland concludes.
“It’s time for positive politics, it’s time to come together and it’s time for Liz to lead.”
Buckland becomes the second Tory MP to publicly switch his support from Sunak to Truss, following Chris Skidmore, who accused Sunak of repeatedly changing his position on key policy issues.
Truss, who many Tory MPs see as the front-runner to become the next prime minister, has consistently led the Tory MP polls, which will close in early September.
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