Announcing his bid, Mr Sunak said the country faced “enormous challenges”. “Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country,” he posted on social media. The former chancellor resigned from his cabinet post on Tuesday afternoon, moments after Sajid Javid resigned as health secretary. They set off an avalanche of resignations as Mr Johnson faced questions about his handling of the controversy over disgraced MP Chris Pincher, which ultimately led to the prime minister quitting on Thursday. Starmer cleared of beergate – Politics latest In his resignation letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Sunak said “the public rightly expect government to behave properly, competently and seriously”, adding: “I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am stepping down ». In a video posted alongside a tweet pitching himself as the next Conservative leader, Mr Sunak said: “Family is everything to me. And my family gave me opportunities they could only dream of. “But it was Britain, our country, that gave them and millions like them the chance for a better future. “I want to lead this country in the right direction.” He also pointed to his experience during the pandemic as an example of why he is fit for the job. “I ran the toughest department in government during the toughest times as we faced the COVID nightmare,” he continued. “My values are non-negotiable: patriotism, justice, hard work. “We are tired of division. “Politics at its best is a unifying endeavor, and I’ve spent my career bringing people together. Because that’s the only way to succeed.” “Someone has to catch this moment” Mr Sunak’s speech added that the UK cannot tell itself “comforting tales”. “Do we face this moment with honesty, seriousness and determination, or do we tell ourselves comforting tales that may make us feel better now, but will leave our children worse off tomorrow?” he continued. “Someone has to seize this moment and make the right decisions. That’s why I’m the next leader of the Conservative Party and your prime minister.” Mr Sunak said he would present his vision in the “coming days and weeks”. Many Conservative MPs were quick to endorse Mr Sunak as their preferred leadership candidate. Mark Harper said the former chancellor has an “exciting vision for the future of the country”. He posted on social media: “I support Rishi Sunak to restore trust, rebuild the economy, reunite the country, win the next election. “I’m #ReadyforRishi as he represents a return to traditional Conservative values and has an exciting vision for the future of our country.” Sunak ‘can unite the party’ Conservative MP Angela Richardson, who resigned as Michael Gove’s private secretary in January over her “deep disappointment” in Johnson’s handling of the Partygate scandal, also backed Sunak for leader. Commons leader Mark Spencer was another to back Mr Sunak. “Rishi is the leader who can unite the party, unite the entire country and win us the fifth victory in the general elections,” he said. “In serious times we need a person with a proven track record. Rishi gets my full support.” Red Wall Tory MP Jacob Young also backed Mr Sunak, saying he has supported Teesside “time and time again”. “Rishi has the energy and vision to defeat Labor in places like Redcar and I trust him to deliver us jobs, opportunity and a bright future,” he posted on social media. Another Conservative MP from 2019, Laura Trott, posted on Instagram: “It’s time for a leader with integrity. A leader we can trust to unite our party and bring the country back together. “I support Rishi for his proven leadership in difficult times and vision to move the country forward.” The bookies’ favourite Ben Wallace is the bookies’ favorite to succeed Johnson as Tory leader and prime minister, having boosted the party’s popularity in recent months. The latest YouGov poll of Tory MPs shows the Defense Secretary as the clear favorite to be the next leader. Read more: Who are the frontrunners to replace Johnson? Mr Wallace beats all the main contenders, including Mr Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. However, the defense minister is yet to throw his hat into the ring. Sky News political correspondent Joe Pike understands Wallace is discussing the matter with his family before deciding how to proceed. Addressing the nation shortly after midday on Thursday, Mr Johnson tendered his resignation but said he intended to remain in office until a successor is elected, a process that could take months. This prompted a backlash from senior Conservative figures, including former party leader Sir John Major, who in a letter to 1922 committee chairman Sir Graham Brady said it was “unwise and perhaps unsustainable” for Mr Johnson to remain in place until autumn. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has also threatened to call for a no-confidence vote in the Commons, backed by other opposition parties, if Tory MPs cannot oust him immediately. Tugendhat was the first to bid However, Johnson’s resignation set off the gun in the Conservative leadership election. On Thursday night, Tom Tugendhat became the first MP to say he would stand to replace Mr Johnson in a Tory leadership contest. The veteran and chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee told Times Radio it would be a “tremendous privilege”. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is believed to be considering a leadership bid. Sky News understands that both Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister, and Michael Gove, the former rank and file secretary, have ruled themselves out of the contest. Mr Javid is also understood to be deciding whether to enter the competition.
