KEMI Badenoch was hailed as the new “Lady Thatcher” by a major new backer – as the race to become the next Tory leader finally kicks off properly.
Six Tory MPs are battling it out to be crowned the next party boss.
They are Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat and Mrs Badenoch.
2
The first round of voting takes place this Wednesday, when the politician with the least support among MPs will be knocked out.
As the fight heats up, Tory rising star and shadow cabinet minister Laura Trott backs Kemi – who is officially launching her campaign on Monday.
She told The Sun on Sunday: “The situation when the next general election is fought could be much like 1979 – overmighty unions, and taxes stifling enterprise.
“Back then we had a strong, authentic, and resolute leader; someone of conviction and principle willing to tell hard truths, make tough decisions and stand up for what she believed in.
“We need that again, and I see that in Kemi Badenoch.”
2
She added: “Like Lady Thatcher, she instinctively understands that the government is the custodian of the public purse and must respect it, whilst also ensuring people are able to keep more of the money they earn.”
Mr Jenrick is holding a major campaign rally today where he will accuse Labour of “declaring war on the middle class” and vow to “fight” their tax hikes.
Mr Cleverly is staking his claim to the top job by tearing into Nigel Farage, whose Reform Party drained support away from the Tories in the election.
Speaking ahead of his first major campaign speech, he said: “They might not like it, but Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage are two sides of the same coin.
“They both think our best days are behind us and share the same pessimistic view of the United Kingdom.
“Starmer thinks life was better before we left the EU and Farage thinks it was better before we joined. They’re both wrong.”
He added: “Our past is great but our future can be greater.”
Mr Stride is widely expected to be knocked out on Wednesday.
But a More in Common focus group revealed his voice is a big hit with voters.
They said he sounded like David Attenborough could have a new career reading nighttime books.
