Boris Johnson’s allies aim to stop Rishi Sunak becoming Conservative party leader and are accusing the former chancellor of treachery for triggering the prime minister’s premature exit.
More than 50 Conservative MPs quit the government after Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid resigned on Tuesday, leading Johnson to step down as Tory leader two days later.
Close allies of Johnson said there was “huge anger” in Downing Street over Sunak’s resignation. One senior Number 10 official called Sunak “a treacherous bastard”.
Sunak launched his candidacy to become Tory leader on Friday, with a video in which he pledged to end “comforting fairy tales” — a coded attack on Johnson’s time as prime minister.
One government official close to Johnson said Sunak did not inform the prime minister of his intention to quit, although another Whitehall insider said Sunak “tried to call the prime minister but he didn’t answer”.
A cabinet minister loyal to Johnson said his allies would try to ensure Sunak did not win the leadership contest. “Rishi will get everything he deserves for leading the charge in bringing down the prime minister,” he said. Sunak’s team declined to comment.
Johnson’s allies also accused Sunak of having the wrong approach on the economy while chancellor. One Number 10 insider said: “He had no real plan for growth, [and was] just obsessed with balancing the books.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Brexit Opportunities minister and Johnson loyalist, described Sunak as “the much-lamented socialist chancellor”.
But another senior government insider said Johnson saw Sunak as a “great chancellor” and noted that he had stated in his resignation letter he would “miss working with him”.
The race to succeed Johnson will be a crowded field: chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and defence secretary Ben Wallace are among the big-hitters expected to stand.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss will launch her campaign for the Conservative leadership in the coming days, according to those with knowledge of her plans. She is expected to seek to differentiate herself from Sunak on the economy, pledging tax cuts and supply side reform.
One Truss ally said: “She’s definitely not the continuity candidate on the economy.”
She will advocate “a clear vision for the economy based on Conservative principles”, another ally said. As well as arguing for cutting regulation, Truss will focus on regulatory divergence from the EU.
Her pitch to Conservative MPs will also argue that she can hold together Johnson’s voting coalition in all parts of England. One supporter claimed “no other candidate” can hold both the so-called ‘red wall’ of former Labour heartlands and the ‘blue wall’ of suburban seats that the Tories risk losing to the Liberal Democrats.
Several bookmakers have put Sunak, 42, as favourite to become the next Conservative leader, and many Tory MPs also see him as the leading contender.
I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.
Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country. #Ready4Rishi
Sign up 👉 https://t.co/KKucZTV7N1 pic.twitter.com/LldqjLRSgF
— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 8, 2022
But he is unpopular with some Conservative MPs because of the tax rises he introduced to pay for emergency government support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sunak’s video focused on trying to move the Tories on from the scandal and tumult that undermined Johnson. “Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country,” he said.
The former chancellor signalled that his policy platform would concentrate on fiscal discipline — on which he clashed with Johnson.
“Do we confront this moment with honesty, seriousness and determination?” asked Sunak. “Or do we tell ourselves comforting fairy tales that might make us feel better in the moment but will leave our children worse off tomorrow?”
Sunak has already won the first major endorsements of the leadership contest: former Tory chief whips Mark Harper and Mark Spencer.
Kemi Badenoch, the former equalities minister, also announced a leadership bid on Saturday. In an article, she set out a platform of libertarian ideals and state reform. “I want to tell the truth, it’s the truth that will set us free,” she wrote.
Tom Tugendhat, chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs select committee, said on Friday he would seek to succeed Johnson. “It’s time for a clean start,” he said. “It’s time for renewal.”
Suella Braverman, attorney-general, said on Wednesday she would stand.
Meanwhile, Johnson continued to appoint junior ministers to fill the significant gaps in his government. Peter Bone, a veteran Tory MP, was given the new role of deputy leader of the Commons.