“She’s the best person to deliver on the opportunities of Brexit, will deliver a Conservative agenda on the economy, defend free speech, champion equality of opportunity and take a robust line on illegal immigration.” In a further boost for Ms Truss the entire 60-strong European Research Group of Conservative MPs was on Thursday night told by its chairman Mark Francois to vote for the foreign secretary. In a letter seen by The Telegraph, Mr Francois – who has already declared for Ms Truss – pointed out that the group had agreed to endorse either Ms Braverman or Ms Truss for leader. He said that at a meeting of the ERG on Wednesday “we did overwhelmingly agree that there were two candidates who we felt stood out among all the others, namely Suella Braverman and Liz Truss. “While nearly all members of the Group were backing either one or the other, we also agreed collectively, that if only one got through to the next round, we would then row in behind that candidate, whichever one it might be.” He added that “as a result” of Ms Braverman backing Ms Truss “and as previously agreed – I do hope that all of our Group will now feel able to unite firmly behind Liz, to help deliver the vital Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, expand on the opportunities offered by Brexit and secure the future of the Conservative Party”.
