I am determined to deliver for Mid Sussex, give it a strong voice in Westminster and support for our communities just like my wonderful predecessor. This means having the best Prime Minister to take our Country forward, deliver on our manifesto, be the Conservative Government we have been elected to be, win our upcoming local elections and deliver more excellent Conservative Councillors. Earlier this month, I went to Fontwell Park to listen and speak to Rt Hon Liz Truss MP as one of her first leadership membership engagement visits. I was impressed by her energy, her policies, the way she has engaged with MPs with ideas and policy insight, and have found myself backing her all the way.
I had been a strong supporter of Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP in the early leadership rounds in Westminster and was keen we had a positive final choice for our marvellous members. I have worked with Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP as Chancellor and it’s in no doubt we have two really exciting people to choose from and both with different styles and attributes. He has great energy and ability and will be excellent in any future role, as our PM or playing a key Cabinet role. I fully recognise many constituents will be disappointed that we are going through this process once again and it's a situation we did not want to be in. However, we are and we must be pragmatic and get on with what is before us.
I have let the Leadership campaign move forward and have tried not to be overbearing in my personal view. However, many constituents have been in touch to share their opinions and are keen to hear my thoughts. I will share what I see and understand, and I will commit to unite behind the winner in September. Unity is everything and is vital to delivering for people in the face of very difficult and challenging times.
I have known Liz for over seven years and seen her in action in Government, working with her when I was a Minister at the Wales Office, DCMS and more recently the DWP. She really is what you see – an experienced Cabinet Minister who wants results and is determined to deliver on the Conservative agenda. She is straight-talking, honest and determined. I have no doubt that she shares our pride in our country and our party. Most importantly, she has a vision that will help support Mid Sussex to continue to thrive.
Liz, as Prime Minister, will boost investment and growth by creating new low tax, regulation-light Investment Zones, whilst simultaneously scrapping the top-down housing targets that are so inappropriate and damaging for Mid Sussex, and really delivering what businesses of all sizes need.
She’s also pledged to reverse the rise in corporation tax and national insurance – a shot in the arm for Mid Sussex businesses – which will be the right thing to do as it stimulates further investment and creates more high-quality local jobs whilst protecting small business, which is the life blood of all our communities.
Liz will build a true aspirational nation and she knows that the best way to do this is by creating a competitive economy, boosting skills and a pursuing a truly world-class education system that works for our young people.
As a former Education Minister herself, Liz knows everyone should have access to the best quality education, regardless of their background, with teaching that rightly champions aspiration, opportunity and excellence. This means giving parents the right to choose where they send their children to school and college alongside making sure our youngsters get the learning they need before joining a changing world of work.
Successive Conservative governments have made an important start breaking up this monopoly on our children’s futures by bringing in competition in the form of academies and free schools. Building on their success, Liz has committed to unleash a new wave of free schools to replace failing academies and give more parents the opportunity to send their children to grammar schools. I am keen this also comes with support for parents’ voices in this and that these schools are properly overseen and managed. This is something my constituents want.
Liz can also be trusted on our Nation’s defence. As Foreign Secretary, she has stood against Putin’s appalling invasion of Ukraine and China’s activity around Taiwan, demonstrating once again that we live in a deeply uncertain and difficult world. This stand is absolutely vital – the war in Europe is affecting everything and we must stand up to aggression and have someone with experience and tenacity. She was the lady who helped free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and this shows she can deliver where others have failed. Uniting a family and making a real difference. Liz has fully shown her credentials on the international stage in standing up to Vladimir Putin, and I was delighted to hear her commitment to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP. She is a true a leader who is determined and committed to protecting that we have the armed forces to defend our freedom, our way of life and be a proudly global Britain.
With Liz as Prime Minister, we can look forward to an invigorated economy, stronger armed forces and a commitment to giving every child the opportunity to succeed in life regardless of background.
Liz has a vision for our nation, of aspiration for all and delivery of a Conservative agenda to help everyone succeed – that’s why I am putting my trust in Liz Truss.
