Don’t demonise Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak warns Tories at campaign launch

By Justin ParkinsonPolitical reporter, BBC News

Media caption,

Watch: Sunak praises Johnson as he launches Tory leadership bid

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak has launched his bid to become Conservative leader, warning against “demonising” the “remarkable” Boris Johnson.

He also hit out at his rivals’ tax-cut promises, dismissing them as “not credible” until the rate of inflation is brought under control.

Ten candidates are running to be Tory leader and PM after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps withdrew from the contest.

They face elimination if they do not get the backing of 20 MPs by 18:00 BST.

Three of the candidates – Mr Sunak, Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt, and backbench MP Tom Tugendhat – have so far passed that threshold.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi told the BBC he also had enough support to get through.

In a series of votes, Tory MPs will begin whittling the candidates down on Wednesday, with the final two going to a full ballot of around 160,000 Conservative Party members over the summer.

In a busy morning, Mr Tugendhat and former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch also officially launched their leadership bids with media events that also enabled them to demonstrate their support.

Withdrawing from the contest, Mr Shapps pledged his support to Mr Sunak, with Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also backing him.

But Tory heavyweight Michael Gove, sacked from the cabinet last week by Mr Johnson, is among those supporting Ms Badenoch.

And former senior minister Damian Green is one of the MPs backing Mr Tugendhat.

At his launch, in central London, Mr Sunak, who quit the government last week in protest at Mr Johnson’s leadership style, said: “Boris Johnson is one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met.

“And, whatever some commentators may say, he has a good heart.”

He added: “Is he flawed? Yes. And so are the rest of us.”

Mr Sunak said he had resigned because Mr Johnson’s leadership was “no longer working”, but he would have “no part in a rewriting of history that seeks to demonise Boris, exaggerate his faults or deny his efforts”.

So far, the contest has focused on the issue of tax cuts, with most candidates saying they would make them immediately if they got into Downing Street.

Media caption,

Watch: Let’s be honest about our economic challenge – Kemi Badenoch

But Mr Sunak warned that it was not credible to promise more spending and lower taxes in the immediate term.

“While that may be politically inconvenient for me, it is also the truth,” he added, “as is the fact that once we’ve gripped inflation, I will get the tax burden down. It is a question of when, not if.”

The candidates for the party leadership are:

The result is due to be announced on 5 September.

Tuesday 12 July – nominations to get on the ballot open, closing at 18:00 BST

Wednesday 13 July – first round of voting among Tory MPs

Thursday 14 July – likely date for second round of voting

Monday 18 July – likely date for third round of voting, if required

Thursday 21 July – deadline for deciding final two candidates

Monday 5 September – winner announced

At her campaign launch, Ms Badenoch struck a more equivocal note, saying she would not enter into a “bidding war” over tax cuts, adding: “The dividing line in this race is not tax cuts; it’s judgement.”

“It’s time to tell the truth,” she told supporters. “For too long politicians have been saying you can have it all – you can have your cake and eat it.

“But I’m here to tell you that’s not the case.”

Media caption,

Watch: ‘We need a clean start’ – Tugendhat’s leadership pledge

Meanwhile, Mr Tugendhat promised to slash fuel duty by 10p and reverse the recent rise in National Insurance payments if he became prime minister.

“I am here to make the case that our economy can only prosper if we believe that people – and not Westminster – know best how to spend their money,” he said.

Addressing his lack of ministerial experience, Mr Tugendhat said: “The reality is that the job of prime minister is unlike every other job in government.

“It’s not a management job; it’s not a departmental job. It’s a job that demands vision and leadership.”

Mr Johnson – whose premiership collapsed as ministers criticised and quit over his handling of Partygate and other scandals – will not be endorsing any of the candidates.

He said on Monday: “I wouldn’t want to damage anyone’s chances with my support.”

Opposition parties and some Tory MPs have called for Mr Johnson to go immediately and, according to sources, Labour is planning to table a confidence motion in the government.

It could be held as early as Wednesday and, if Labour is successful, it could prompt a general election.

But it is unlikely enough Conservatives would back the motion for this to happen.