Over the coming weeks, the Conservative party will face one of the greatest decisions in our political history. Do we help to elect a new leader who will continue to ignore the British people’s decision to leave the EU and risk undermining democracy altogether? Or do we choose someone who is committed to delivering Brexit this year and who will raise our standing in the world?
As the recent by-election has shown, if we get this decision wrong the Conservative party could cease to exist.
We can see that the failure to deliver the Brexit we promised in our manifesto has hurt both our country and the party greviously. That’s why people are turning to Nigel Farage and the Brexit party in such numbers. They no longer trust us to do what we say we will.
It is time for a change. We need a leader who can restore that trust. That means a leader who can deliver Brexit by the new deadline of 31 October and a leader who will deliver for our country.
Right now there is only one candidate who can do this: Boris Johnson.
The ineptness shown by this Conservative government on Brexit has torpedoed the party into crisis. We have a country desperately wanting to be led by a new prime minister with the clarity and conviction to deliver Brexit and restore trust in politics, as well as bring excitement to what Conservative values can deliver for people across the country, regardless of their background or political beliefs.
The stakes could not be higher. We need a renaissance in our democracy and inspiring new leadership delivering positive change rather than sitting on the side-lines watching Corbyn and his socialists wreck our nation.
The first task of the new prime minister will be delivering the Brexit that 17.4 million people voted for, with a smooth departure from the EU, maintaining strong ties with existing partners while extending our hand to new partners and highlighting Britain’s offer on the global stage. Fundamentally, we need to believe in Britain.
And Boris is clear. His plan is key to demonstrating that we believe in the potential of our great nation – crucially, he will deliver for Britain beyond Brexit.
The Conservative party is at is strongest when it is in tune with the hopes and aspirations of Britain’s hard-working, law-abiding majority, and when it governs with clear Conservative principles. That means no more flip-flopping on Brexit, and it means showing that the Conservative way is the only way to address issues such as social care, to take tough action on crime and support police funding, and to boost our schools and tackle inequality of opportunity.
After three years of being told that “nothing has changed”, the time has come for everything to change. That means a new prime minister who will fulfil our hopes and aspirations. By backing Boris, I am backing a candidate who will restore the spirit of public service to our politics and stand up for the people of our country once again.
