James Cleverly has become the first Conservative MP to announce he will run to be the party’s next leader.
The shadow interior minister, who held several important positions in the government, revealed his decision in a video on social media.
In the post, which saw him return to his childhood home in south-east London, smart sir said the Conservatives needed to “reestablish our reputation as the party that, in government, helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams and their aspirations”.
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The Conservative former president, 54, said that when he was Foreign Secretary he “confronted our enemies around the world and I helped defend our friends”.
He added: “When I was Home Secretary, I recognized how important it was to keep net migration under control and I took steps that saw these net migration figures fall.”
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Cleverly said: “We need to rediscover the confidence that our fundamental values are shared by the British public and present an offer of unity, security and prosperity.
“We must abandon self-indulgent infighting and be ready to deliver when the next opportunity arises. This will require dedication, discipline and focus.”
He also said that “we must reconnect… with voters” after “losing their trust” in the last general election.
Rishi Sunakreplacement as Conservative leader will be announced on November 2nd.
The party said the former prime minister, who led the Conservatives in their worst defeat ever on 4th of Julywill remain as interim leader until that date.
Nominations to succeed Sunak will open on Wednesday at 7pm and close at 2.30pm on Monday.
Following meetings between the Conservative Party council and the 1922 grassroots committee of MPs, it was decided that candidates will need the support of at least 10 MPs – one proposer, one supporter and eight nominations to progress to the vote.
Conservative MPs will then be narrowed down to four candidates, who will present their arguments to party members at this autumn’s Conservative conference.
The four candidates will then be whittled down to the final two candidates, with the winner chosen by party members.
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Several Conservative MPs have also been making noise about their position in the leadership election, including former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride.
He is likely to face colleagues including the shadow housing secretary Kemi Badenoch and shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat.
Others expected to throw their hat in the ring include former Home Secretaries Suella Bravermanits predecessor Priti Patel and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
Tugendhat is highly regarded among the One Nation group of moderate Conservative MPs, while Cleverly is also seen in moderate Conservative circles as a candidate who could unify the party.
Ms Patel, Ms Braverman and Mr Jenrick will compete for the vote of those on the right of the party.
Jeremy Huntthe shadow chancellor, has ruled out running for the leadership, despite resisting an electoral challenge from the Liberal Democrats in his constituency of Godalming and Ash.
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