Grant Shapps has announced his campaign to become the next leader and prime minister of the Conservative Party, saying he will end a period of “tactical government by an often distracted center.”
Shapps, the transportation secretary, is the candidate with the most political experience for having entered the race. He joined the shadow cabinet in 2007 and three years later was appointed minister under David Cameron.
He became one of Boris Johnson’s most trusted allies, having led his leadership career in 2019 and publicly defended him when his leadership collapsed.
Shapps, 53, who is married and has three children and is Welwyn Hatfield’s deputy, was one of the few cabinet ministers who did not resign last week.
He said his goal was