Boris Johnson loyalists Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nadine Dorries have announced they are backing Liz Truss to become the next Conservative leader and Prime Minister.
Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, the Brexit opportunities minister and the Culture Secretary gave their backing to Ms Truss to become the next Tory leader, and therefore prime minister.
Speaking to reporters in Downing Street after a Cabinet meeting, Ms Dorries said: “I have sat with Liz in Cabinet now for some time.
“[I’m] very aware that she’s probably a stronger Brexiteer than the both of us.
Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nadine Dorries
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“She has consistently argued for low tax policies and I’m particularly concerned about the 14 million people who voted for a manifesto and voted for a Government that the candidate that we select, for me it’s Liz who I’m going to back, will continue with those manifesto policies and will continue to deliver for the Government and the Conservative Party moving forward.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg said Liz Truss has shown “proper Conservatism” in her views when opposing tax rises, which is another reason why he has decided to back her.
The Brexit opportunities minister told reporters in Downing Street: “I’m also going to be backing Liz Truss. As Nadine said, I think she’s a stronger Brexiteer than either of us and that’s really important.
“She has been my strongest supporter in the Cabinet in getting Brexit opportunities. When we discussed taxation, Liz was always opposed to Rishi’s higher taxes. That, again, is proper Conservatism.
“I think she’s got the character to lead the party and the nation.”
Questioned if the Foreign Secretary was the “stop Rishi” candidate, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “Liz Truss is the best candidate, that’s what we’re working for. She’s a proper Eurosceptic, she’ll deliver for the voters and she believes in low taxation.”
“And she’s a woman,” Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries added.
