The race to succeed Johnson turned bloody on Sunday, with reports of damaging briefings against the craze and even a so-called “Mucky Memo” or “Dirty Dossier” Tory WhatsApp group doing the rounds. The 424-word attack includes personal attacks allegedly describing Sunak as a “schoolboy” and a “liar” who cannot be relied upon to tax.
Titled “Get Ready for Rishi”, the 42-year-old MP has been described as a “Big Tax and Big Spend” agenda after the launch of Sunak’s Ready4Rishi campaign, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
The memo criticized Sunak personally, saying that he “lyed in public” while trying to convince his Indian wife Akshata. Sculpturelegal non-domicile tax status of. Akshata is the daughter of NR Narayana Murthy, the founder of Indian multinational IT company Infosys.
Resignation pre-planned?
Pointing to the “fact” that he had “secretly” held a green card to work in the US during the 18 months in his UK chancellery, the memo casts doubt on his claim that “his resignation was within minutes”. In [fellow Cabinet minister Sajid Javid] was an unplanned coincidence”.
It also reported that he started his campaign for leadership of the Conservative Party with a website domain registered in December last year.
Sunak’s clever video detailing his vision for Britain as Conservative leader and PM raised eyebrows among potential supporters, with the speed at which it was released prompting accusations of betrayal against Johnson.
I stand to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and to be your Prime Minister. Let’s restore faith, rebuild… https://t.co/49hU70wWrN
— ready for sage (@RishiSunak) 165729340000
Sunak, who resigned with shock javado On Tuesday, Johnson released a video on Twitter pledging to “rebuild the economy” and “reconnect the country”. The lawmakers said privately that they were shocked by the timing of its release.
The three-minute video, with high-end production values suggesting months into planning, sparked an immediate backlash from Conservative lawmakers questioning how long Sunak had been plotting against Johnson. It was a question brushed up by Cabinet Minister Mark Spencer, one of Sunak’s supporters.
“The sage has been at the center of government for a very long time; As Chancellor of the Exchequer he was always going to promote himself and promote the Conservative Party and the Conservative government,” Spencer said, “so, he would have access to a lot of snippets of the video, and you can see those things.” can pull together very quickly.”
Newspapers including the Daily Mail reported that Sunak’s campaign website was registered on 23 December, indicating that his plans for the leadership campaign had been hatched months earlier.
Feedback from Johnson’s Camp
Many in Johnson’s camp see Sunak’s resignation as his unofficial departure from 10 Downing Street and are therefore determined to block his campaign.
“Obviously the Prime Minister is deeply hurt by the resignation of the Chancellor. Rishi’s camp will have to face a lot of anger in the days to come. Whoever takes office will apply to him,” Sir Charles Walker, former deputy chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, told the Observer newspaper.
partygate allegations
The memo seeks to taint the Downing Street craze of Covid law-breaking parties with Johnson’s questionable Partygate legacy, saying: “Like Boris, (he) fined the police ‘Partygate’ for breaking lockdown rules” .
stance on tax
The tax, over which the confrontation between Sunak and former boss Johnson is known, would become a central focus of a hard-line low-tax Conservative Party leadership campaign.
Sunak has categorically declared that tax cuts can be done only when finances and the global economic situation improve and urged not to get bogged down by fairy tale promises in his campaign launch video.
He questioned, “Do we face this moment with honesty, seriousness and determination or do we tell ourselves comforting fairy tales that may make us feel better in the moment but spoil our children tomorrow.” Will give.”
fractious race
With no clear front-runner and limited time to find a winner, the race is likely to fracture.
The Times reported on Saturday that Javid, who has yet to formally announce his candidacy, had been asked by Sunak’s aides to stand apart from apparently running into the leadership.
september deadline
In the meantime, Johnson will remain in place until his successor is announced, which the party said will happen in September.
The 1922 committee of the rank-and-file of Tory lawmakers is planning an accelerated leadership contest, and wants to narrow down the candidates to the final two by July 21. The finalists will then undertake a six-week tour of the UK and the Conservatives. Party members will make the final election, with the next premiership to be held in September.
There is likely to be a wide field of candidates, so the barrier to entry is expected to be raised – as candidates require a certain number of supporters to appear on the ballot.
Others to stand up for were Trade Minister Penny Mordant, former Health Minister Javid and Jeremy Hunttransport secretary Grant Shappsand the new chancellor, Nadim Zhawi.
Senior leaders are pleading for restraint as the war of words threatens to break the ruling party and damage the prospects of the next general election by 2024.
(with inputs from agencies)