Tom Tugendhat has hit back at claims he is "appealing to the right" of the Conservatives, after pledging to leave the ECHR in his bid to replace Rishi Sunak.
The Tory leadership hopeful said issues such as the ECHR, gender and taxes are "common sense Conservative positions," and defended his "good track record" within the party.
Speaking to GB News, the Tonbridge MP said becoming the Leader of the Opposition is a "huge challenge", but claimed that leading the Tories will offer the British people "a chance to have the natural party of government back in office".
Addressing the defeat of Rishi Sunak and the party in this month's General Election, Tugendhat stated that the Tories need to "rebuild trust" with voters.
Tom Tugendhat defended his plans to leave the ECHR if he is elected as leader of the Conservative Party
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When pressed by on why he wants to take on the "poison chalice" from Sunak, Tugendhat said he is "hugely proud to have served over many years" and has got a "track record of delivery".
Tugendhat said: "We need to reunite from this factional fighting that we've seen over the last few years, and get ready to actually deliver for the British people.
"We need to make sure that the British people have a real choice at the next election, a choice that actually serves the British people. That's what I'm working on."
Highlighting Tugendhat's pledge to "rebuild trust" with British voters, the Tory leadership candidate was pressed on how "pulling the UK out of the ECHR" is going to establish that trust.
Tom Tugendhat denied he was 'appealing to the right' by pledging to leave the ECHR
GB News
Tugendhat said: "I've been very, very clear. I am prepared to make any decision that will keep the British people safe.
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"Just look at the last five years where we haven't delivered. I am prepared to leave the ECHR, or indeed any other institution that does not serve the interests of the British people."
Tugendhat explained: "We need to be ruthlessly focused on what is in our national interest so that we are delivering for our people.
"And that means looking around the world, looking at the institutions, looking at the alliances that we've struck and making sure that they continue to deliver when they don't. We need to reform them."
The Tory MP was grilled on his stance, arguing that he is merely "appealing to the right" with the plan.
Tom Tugendhat said he has a 'good track record' and wants to 'serve the British people'
GB News
Tugendhat responded: "This has been something I've been calling for for 11 years. I've always been absolutely clear, we serve the British people, we don't serve anyone else.
"I'm completely focused on the conservative values that have made this country great over the last 200 years."
He added: "I'm setting out an agenda that is ruthlessly focused on the interests of the British people."
