A surprise entry was also made by Foreign Minister Rehman Chishti, meaning 11 Conservatives are now in the running to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Mrs Truss pledged to “start cutting taxes from day one” with a pledge to reverse the rise of National Insurance in April. Paralympian asks to be removed from Mordaunt campaign video – Politics Live A supporter of Home Secretary Priti Patel said there was a “high possibility” she would also put herself forward. Another ally said Ms. Patel was still considering her position, but added that she had more support than some of the candidates who had already declared publicly. Launching his campaign in a Facebook video, Mr Chishti said: “For me, it’s important to make sure that everyone who works hard, who is determined, who perseveres, that they have a government that is on their side and that means lower taxes, small state, big society”. On Monday, party elders on the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs will decide the rules on which the leadership contest will take place. With so many people standing, there is pressure to speed up the process to ensure only MPs with significant levels of support can get on the ballot. MPs are expected to narrow the candidates down to a final two in the coming days before party members make a final choice in the summer. This will allow the new prime minister to be in place until parliament returns in September. Image: Liz Truss pledges to cut taxes ‘from day one’ Former chancellor Rishi Sunak currently has the largest number of supporters, with trade secretary Penny Mordaunt also proving popular. Communities Secretary and ‘next generation’ candidate Kemi Badenoch has had her campaign boosted after winning the support of former cabinet minister Michael Gove. The chairman of Tory MPs’ Northern Research Group, Jake Berry, said he would vote for Tom Taggedhat. Read more: Who are the frontrunners to be next prime minister? Tax plans could decide who leads Conservatives Zahawi says he is ‘clearly being abused’ over tax claims Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:33 Sophy Ridge asks the leadership candidates a quick series of questions Ms Truss was widely expected to run for the top job and pointed to recent controversial Brexit legislation as one of her key achievements. “I put myself forward because I can lead, deliver and make the tough decisions,” the Foreign Secretary said in her Telegraph article. He is one of several candidates promising big tax cuts if elected. Ms Truss has already received the backing of Kwasi Kwarteng, with the business secretary telling the Sun that the UK would enjoy a new era of tax cuts and business investment under her leadership. Follow The Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker On Saturday, former health secretary Sajid Javid pledged to reverse the rise of National Insurance and cut corporation tax if he gets to Downing Street. Business background checks were also carried out on some candidates with chancellor Nadhim Zahawi claiming he had been “slandered” over newspaper claims about his tax affairs. Speaking to Kay Burley, the former businessman pledged to publish his accounts annually if elected Tory leader.
