Suella Braverman says the Conservative Party must change to deal with the threat of Reform UK, but refused to be drawn on whether she will be the person fronting up a new dawn.
The former Home Secretary has set out her stall for the head honcho position before, coming up short in her endeavour with Liz Truss eventually gaining the post.
Speaking on GB News to Camilla Tominey, Braverman refused to be drawn on suggestions she is set to go again and also admitted to “looking” at Reform UK amid claims her brand of politics would be better served with Nigel Farage’s party.
“You’re not ruling this out”, Tominey probed, to which Braverman said she is “having lots of conversations”.
Suella Braverman has refused to rule out a bid for the leadership
GB NEWS
“I know you want the drama and headlines but I will have to disappoint you”, she said.
“There will be no announcements. Unlike 2019 and 2022, we have the luxury of being in opposition.
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“There is no urgency to install a new leader. What is urgent and absolutely essential is we as a party reflect and accept what got us into this existentially damaging situation.
“There are still disagreements. Many of my colleagues feel we have to do more of the same.
“That is what concerns me.”
Braverman suggested the Tories need to position themselves more to the right if they are to win back voters after suffering a crushing defeat at the General Election.
Suella Braverman spoke to Camilla Tominey on GB News
GB NEWS
One of the key contributors to their demise was the surge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK who platformed on a series of pledges such as net zero immigration.
The former Home Secretary has been tipped by many to defect to Reform given her alignment with many of its ideas, but she again refused to be drawn on the matter when asked by Camilla.
But she did admit that she has “looked” at Reform, given how many Conservative voters felt “betrayed and angry” with Rishi Sunak.
“We are facing an existential threat from Reform”, she said.
Braverman has been tipped by many to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK
PA“We have to change ourselves to neutralise that threat. This is not about which party I am in, this is about what the Conservatives stand for.
“We should be standing for lower migration, lower taxation, more housing and aspiration. We have to provide hope for the next generation. We failed to build enough houses, for example.
“I think I am talking like a conservative.”