Welsh Secretary Sir Robert Buckland has become the first Cabinet minister to publicly switch his support for the Conservative leadership from Rishi Sunak to Liz Truss.
Writing for the Telegraph, Buckland cited Truss’s emphasis on economics as one of the main reasons for his defection.
He wrote: “I know both candidates well and have worked with them in government and cabinet.
“I have looked first at ideas and principles, then at personalities. During the parliamentary rounds, I supported Rishi Sunak because I felt that he was at the time embodying what we needed.
“As the campaign has progressed and I’ve listened carefully to both candidates, I’ve thought deeply about the issues that move me and what I want the next Prime Minister to do. Changing my mind on an issue like this is not an easy thing to do, but I have decided that Liz Truss is the right person to take our country forward.”
While he said in a video message released on July 14 that Sunak’s “clear thinking” was what would help “get us through these difficult economic times”, Buckland is now praising Truss’ economic management in his recent statement.
He said: “Liz understands the need for supply-side reforms, unlocking the private sector that drives our economic growth through investment and the creation of high-skilled jobs.
“His plans give us the best chance to reach our potential with the high-growth, high-productivity economy we need not only to get us out of this crisis, but to protect us from the next.”
The former Lord Chancellor also highlighted Truss’ commitment to a British bill of rights, which would override the power of the European Court of Human Rights, after Strasbourg blocked the deportation of asylum seekers from Britain to Rwanda in June
“We, as members of the Conservative Party, face a choice much bigger than all of us. This is about the country now, about the safety and prosperity of our friends, families and neighbours,” concludes Buckland.
“It’s time for positive politics, time to unite and time for Liz to lead.”
Buckland becomes the second Tory MP to publicly switch support from Sunak to Truss, following Chris Skidmore, who accused Sunak of repeatedly changing his position on key policy issues.
Truss, who many Tory MPs believe is the front-runner to become the next prime minister, is consistently ahead in Tory member polls, which close in early September.