Former British Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday launched her candidacy for a new leader of the opposition Conservative Party and became the fifth candidate who wants to replace Rishi Sunak, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Sunak stepped down earlier this month after the party's worst-ever election performance, but said he would remain acting leader until his successor is chosen.
Patel became the first female candidate for his post, launching her run with the slogan "Unite to Win" – a hint at the internally fractured Tory party after 14 tumultuous years in power.
„It is time to put unity before personal vendetta, country before party and fulfillment of promises before self-interest," Patel said.
Patel resigned as international development minister in 2017 over unannounced meetings with Israeli officials in breach of diplomatic protocol, but returned to government in 2019 under then-prime minister Boris Johnson as his home secretary .
Patel previously held posts at the Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury.
Patel has been a Member of Parliament since 2010. Before that, she worked in public relations.
The other candidates so far are: former Security Secretary Tom Tugundhat, former Foreign Secretary James Cleverley, former Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride and former Immigration Secretary Robert Jenrick. The application deadline is Monday.
To reach a leader, Tory lawmakers will first narrow the candidates down to four. They will outline their concepts at the Conservative Party conference starting at the end of September.
The candidates will then be whittled down to two and all party members will vote for them.
The new leader will be announced on November 2nd.