Tom Tugendhat issues major apology over Tory failures
The Conservative leadership candidate will launch his campaign by saying sorry for the past.
Former minister Tom Tugendhat will apologise for the failures of the last Tory government when he launches his bid to become leader.
In a speech in Westminster, he will spell out his anger over the infighting in the party that led to its dismal election drubbing.
Mr Tugendhat will pledge a return to “honest” politics and admit the last administration did not deliver what it said it would.
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He will say: “My pledge, as leader, is to return to the honest state, the responsible state.
"I will set out the agenda for government to win back the trust and confidence in the future because I know that this country has the greatest building blocks for future success.
"That’s why I am standing not just to lead the Conservative Party. I am standing to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”
The ex-security minister try to draw a line under the past and set out his vision for the future.
“Politics matters to people’s lives,” he will say. “That’s why I was so angry at the recent games… We need a government that will serve, lead, and act. That’s why I am standing before you today. Because this country can change. We must change.”
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He will add: “I believe that the future of our nation is on the line, that we face the threat of decline, but that it is within our power to change course. I am asking once again to serve. I will lead this party and this country on the journey it needs to take, and that I will act in your best interests.”
The field of six candidates to replace Rishi Sunak will be whittled down to four by the time of the Conservative conference at the end of the month.
After that, MPs will carry out further rounds of voting to select two final candidates for the Conservative members to choose between, with the result announced on November 2.
