Major Blow for Boris Johnson’s Return Bid as Kemi Badenoch Backs Rishi Sunak for PM

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Nigerian-born British Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has backed Rishi Sunak to be the Conservative Party leader and Britain’s next Prime Minister, comparing the frontrunner to Margaret Thatcher.

Ms Badenoch, who stood to be Tory leader earlier this year, was expected by many in Boris Johnson’s camp to support the former Prime Minister in his bid to return to Downing Street.

However, the highly influential Badenoch said that while she admired Johnson, Sunak was “the man for the job”.

She wrote in The Times: “I have, on occasion, been a member of the Boris Johnson fan club. Even when I resigned from his government, I acknowledged his many strengths. He has been an asset to the country during some very difficult times. 

“However, I am an even bigger fan of Margaret Thatcher, a formidable politician who did not duck difficult decisions, was extremely prudent and successfully carried out major reforms by winning the argument and taking the public with her. 

“We need someone who can do the same. I believe that person is Rishi Sunak.”

Former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch were last night under pressure to step aside from the leadership contest to avoid splitting the Tory right’s vote.

Brexit-backing MPs warned that the MPs stood little chance of winning the Conservative leadership contest but could dent the chances of Boris Johnson. 

Ms Braverman, who was ousted as home secretary on Wednesday, was still trying to persuade Tory MPs to back her yesterday. 

Badenoch, meanwhile, said she wanted lower taxes and “limited government” that focuses on the essentials. 

She appeared to be targeting the anti-woke vote, complaining about “the shutting down of debate” and stressing the need to “reinvigorate the case for free speech”. 

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