Home Secretary is the firm steady leader we need … when she arrives in Brussels, Europe’s bosses sit up and listen
Theresa May has inspired my unwavering respect — she has succeeded where so many others have failed
THERE are two characteristics above all others the next leader of the Conservative Party will need: common sense and determination.
After all they won’t just be the leader of a political party, where the odd mistake would be embarrassing but not disastrous. They will be the Prime Minister of our United Kingdom.
We live in uncertain times and a firm, steady leader is what we need.
I’ve watched colleagues around the Cabinet Table deal with crises of all sorts.
A policy getting unexpected opposition, the political weather changing in unpredictable ways or the roller coaster of the economy.
And Theresa May has inspired my unwavering respect.
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She has had her fair share of tackling difficult situations. Being Home Secretary is a notoriously difficult job that has trashed more reputations than any other.
But Theresa has succeed where so many others have failed.
She understands people with a working class background like mine, and she understands why more must be done to ensure immigration works for everyone in our country, not just the very wealthy.
We know that the next Prime Minister needs to forge a deal from the EU as we shape our brighter future in the rest of the world. And her track record shows that when Theresa arrives in Brussels, Europe’s bosses sit up and listen.
Having spent six years as Chief Whip, responsible for enforcing discipline among ambitious back-bench Members of Parliament, I know what it takes to bring our party together.
Every Member of Parliament can respect the job Theresa has done for our party over the last three decades - as a councillor to Party Chairman and now in David Cameron’s Cabinet.
Now, I’ve held all sorts of jobs: a farm worker, a miner, even a chef. But I know holding political office and running the country demands a special type determination. And Theresa has the ‘it’ factor.
Britain deserves a Prime Minister who unites their party. Someone who will battle for Britain and get the deal we need.
And only Theresa can do that.
