He clashed with right-wing Conservative MPs in a major chase involving the six candidates left in the running after the first round of voting. The trade secretary and former defense secretary has angered traditional Tories in the past by speaking out in favor of transgender rights and gender recognition. Politics Hub: The latest reaction from Westminster as the field to become next PM narrows And it was challenged in a challenge by the 1922 Commission over its handling of a bill that allowed Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave last year. Ms Braverman is now one of Ms Mordaunt’s leadership rivals and has already criticized her for a move to replace the word “woman” with “pregnant” in the 2021 legislation. While the bill was going through the Commons, Tory MPs led by veteran ex-minister Sir John Hayes tabled amendments to restore “mother” and “woman”, but were rejected by the government. But later the same amendments were brought back to the House of Lords after a cross-party campaign involving Labor and Conservative peers. During the 1922 conflict, Sir John, a leading supporter of Ms Braverman, challenged Mrs Mordaunt on the matter and was later said by colleagues to be “inflamed” by her response. “He said he only had one day to read the bill,” an MP present told Sky News. “Anyone who has been a Bills minister will tell you that you have plenty of time to prepare.” Read more: How many supporters does each Tory candidate have so far? Who are the candidates for prime minister and what are their policies? After the protests, a party dignitary told Sky News: “The identity agenda, if we can call it that, is fast coming to the fore as a campaign issue.” Other issues raised by MPs questioning the six candidates at the 1922 rallies were the economy and tax cuts, education, ambulance waiting times, “the benefits of Brexit” and the environment and net zero. Earlier, at the launch of her campaign, Ms Mordaunt hit back at criticism of her stance on transgender rights, saying: “I think it was Margaret Thatcher who said ‘Every Prime Minister needs a Willie.’ A woman like me doesn’t have it.” Sky News is hosting a live televised debate with the candidates vying to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and therefore prime minister, and you could be in the virtual audience. The debate will take place on Monday 18 July hosted by Sky News presenter Kay Burley. If you would like to join the virtual audience and have the chance to ask a question, please email [email protected]
