Kemi Badenoch has backed Rishi Sunak to be the next prime minister in a major boost to the former chancellor’s campaign to enter Number 10.
On Saturday night, the Trade Secretary – who is an influential figure on the Right of the party and with the Tory membership – delivered her coveted endorsement to Mr Sunak.
Ms Badenoch told The Telegraph: “I’m a big fan of Boris and he got the party through a very difficult situation in 2019. We are now in a different political climate that requires a different approach.”
The endorsement came as Boris Johnson and Mr Sunak continue to battle it out for the support of the Brexiteer wing of the Conservative party.
Earlier in the day, former home secretary Priti Patel announced she was backing Mr Johnson to return as prime minister.
Ms Patel said that her former boss had “the mandate to deliver our elected manifesto and a proven track record getting the big decisions right”.
She added that Mr Johnson would be able to “bring together a united team” to “lead Britain to a stronger and more prosperous future”.
Mr Johnson’s other endorsements on the Right include Jacob Rees-Mogg, Business Secretary; Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Transport Secretary; and Chris Heaton-Harris, Northern Ireland Secretary.
