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Boris Johnson reaches out for party support in Tory leadership bid Boris Johnson reaches out for party support in Tory leadership bid
(35 minutes later)
Boris Johnson is attempting to court high-profile pro-remain female cabinet ministers as part of his bid for the party’s leadership, with MPs saying Elizabeth Truss could throw her weight behind him in the coming days.Boris Johnson is attempting to court high-profile pro-remain female cabinet ministers as part of his bid for the party’s leadership, with MPs saying Elizabeth Truss could throw her weight behind him in the coming days.
Johnson has also reached out to Amber Rudd, the energy secretary, and it would be seen as a coup if the former London mayor and high-profile leave campaigner secured the backing of ministers who campaigned heavily in favour of the EU referendum. Johnson has also reached out to Amber Rudd, the energy secretary, and it would be seen as a coup if the former London mayor and high-profile leave campaigner secured the backing of ministers who campaigned heavily in favour of remain in the EU referendum.
Related: Stop Boris: can the Tories find a slightly less awful leader?Related: Stop Boris: can the Tories find a slightly less awful leader?
MPs have told the Guardian they believe Truss has been convinced, pointing out that despite her opposition to Johnson in the referendum, she used to work for his ally Michael Gove in the Department for Education.MPs have told the Guardian they believe Truss has been convinced, pointing out that despite her opposition to Johnson in the referendum, she used to work for his ally Michael Gove in the Department for Education.
Rudd is also thought to be open to the idea of backing Johnson, despite clashing with him during the referendum campaign. In a televised debate, she described him as the “life and soul of the party, but he’s not the man you want driving you home at the end of the night”.Rudd is also thought to be open to the idea of backing Johnson, despite clashing with him during the referendum campaign. In a televised debate, she described him as the “life and soul of the party, but he’s not the man you want driving you home at the end of the night”.
Johnson wants to demonstrate he can attract the support of remain campaigners and the liberal wing of the party, with early support from the skills minister, Nick Boles. But a number of female MPs, including those passionate about the party’s modernising agenda, have revealed they plan to back Theresa May’s campaign.Johnson wants to demonstrate he can attract the support of remain campaigners and the liberal wing of the party, with early support from the skills minister, Nick Boles. But a number of female MPs, including those passionate about the party’s modernising agenda, have revealed they plan to back Theresa May’s campaign.
One politician described May as someone with the “work ethic of Thatcher” and said she was one of the few people with enough authority to carry the country into Brexit negotiations. Another said they never thought they would be taking her side, but were desperate to block a “Johnson coronation”. One politician described May, the home secretary and remain supporter, as someone with the “work ethic of Thatcher” and said she was one of the few people with enough authority to carry the country into Brexit negotiations. Another said they never thought they would be taking her side, but were desperate to block a “Johnson coronation”.
It comes as MPs in the party have complained to the chair of the backbench 1922 committee, Graham Brady, after government whips spent time canvassing support for May. The Guardian understands Brady has raised the issue with the party’s chief whip, Mark Harper, who is likely to suggest that anyone wanting to back a leadership campaign should stand down until the voting is completed. It comes as MPs in the party have complained to the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee, Graham Brady, after government whips spent time canvassing support for May. The Guardian understands Brady has raised the issue with the party’s chief whip, Mark Harper, who is likely to suggest that anyone wanting to back a leadership campaign should stand down until the voting is completed.
The leadership contest, which closes for nominations on Thursday, has triggered a frantic atmosphere, with MPs rushing around trying to secure the support of colleagues for their preferred candidate. May supporters are each trying to speak to a number of designated MPs in a satellite operation.The leadership contest, which closes for nominations on Thursday, has triggered a frantic atmosphere, with MPs rushing around trying to secure the support of colleagues for their preferred candidate. May supporters are each trying to speak to a number of designated MPs in a satellite operation.
Rumours swirling around Westminster suggest Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister who campaigned to leave the EU, could be a key figure who might herself run, but is also being courted by various candidates including May.Rumours swirling around Westminster suggest Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister who campaigned to leave the EU, could be a key figure who might herself run, but is also being courted by various candidates including May.
One list appeared to suggest the home secretary had the edge with numbers, followed by Johnson, but also revealed support for both Nicky Morgan, who is considering her position, and Stephen Crabb, who plans to run with the support of business secretary, Sajid Javid. One list appeared to suggest the home secretary had the edge with numbers, followed by Johnson, but also revealed support for both Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, who is considering her position, and Stephen Crabb, the work and pensions secretary who plans to run with the support of his business counterpart, Sajid Javid.
Liam Fox has already come out as a candidate, while Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is also canvassing support. Hunt, who was involved in a long-running contract dispute with junior doctors that triggered five strikes, said he wanted the UK to secure continued access to the European single market. Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if he would pit himself against potential rivals such as Johnson and May, he said: “I am seriously considering it.” Former defence secretary Liam Fox has already come out as a candidate, while Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is also canvassing support. Hunt, who was involved in a long-running contract dispute with junior doctors that triggered five strikes, said he wanted the UK to secure continued access to the European single market. Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if he would pit himself against potential rivals such as Johnson and May, he said: “I am seriously considering it.”
Hunt’s declaration of a possible run came after the chancellor, George Osborne, ruled himself out, saying it was clear he could not provide the unity the party needed. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Osborne said “the country is going to be poorer” in the wake of last week’s referendum vote to leave the EU. “We need a plan as a country to get ourselves out of this, while respecting the decision of the British people,” he said. Hunt’s declaration of a possible run came after the chancellor, George Osborne, ruled himself out, saying it was clear he could not provide the unity the party needed. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday, Osborne said “the country is going to be poorer” in the wake of last week’s referendum vote to leave the EU. “We need a plan as a country to get ourselves out of this, while respecting the decision of the British people,” he said.
Osborne warned of the economic risks of leaving the EU and said he would do everything he could to steer the country through it, but said: “It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to explain what plan we would follow if we voted to quit the EU.”Osborne warned of the economic risks of leaving the EU and said he would do everything he could to steer the country through it, but said: “It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to explain what plan we would follow if we voted to quit the EU.”
Nominations for the race to succeed David Cameron open on Wednesday when backbenchers meet to approve the timetable for the contest, which is due to produce a new prime minister by 2 September.Nominations for the race to succeed David Cameron open on Wednesday when backbenchers meet to approve the timetable for the contest, which is due to produce a new prime minister by 2 September.
Whoever ends up in No 10 will be faced with the task of extracting the UK from the bloc, after Cameron said he would not initiate the process before handing over the reins, despite pressure from Brussels for a swift departure.Whoever ends up in No 10 will be faced with the task of extracting the UK from the bloc, after Cameron said he would not initiate the process before handing over the reins, despite pressure from Brussels for a swift departure.