Today both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have become the final two tory candidates in the heated race to replace Boris Johnson.
The pair were able to fight off Penny Mordaunt in the latest round of voting, successfully making it onto the final Tory leadership ballot.
In a statement after her elimination from the contest, Penny Mordaunt congratulated Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.
Read more: Thunderstorms to hit the North East and North Yorkshire
She said: “I pay tribute to anyone who puts themselves forward for such a demanding role,
“Politics isn’t easy. It can be a divisive and difficult place. We must all now work together to unify our party and focus on the job that needs to be done.”
North East MPs were delighted for the news, respectively, each one backing the opposite finalist.
Bishop Auckland MP, Dehenna Davison, said she was “delighted that Lizz Truss is in the final two”
Liz has been to Bishop Auckland multiple times, the MP argued, and has been “brilliant, whether talking to local farmers, business owners, or employees.”
She added: “I fully believe she is the right person to deliver incredible prosperity and opportunities for our region, and to take our country forward to where we all know we have the potential to be.”
Meanwhile, Darlington MP, Peter Gibson was also “delighted” for the opposite party – Rishi Sunak.
He stressed that the former chancellor was “responsible for Darlington Economic Campus” and the “brains behind Freeports.”
Read more: Aycliffe was the hottest town in County Durham as it hit 38c
He added: “Both of which are driving levelling up here, through to the final round in the election of a new party leader.
“I’m backing Rishi to be our new leader. This is a positive day for our area.”
Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham and also backing Rishi Sunak, said the Richmond MP had a “proven track record in the North.”
He continued to argue that Mr Sunak had “got Brexit done” and ensured that his “constituents in North West Durham” could “pay their bills and feed their family” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Holden added: “Sensible, measured, but ambitious for a post-Brexit U.K. - Rishi Sunak is the only candidate with a plan to tame inflation with a balanced approach and has a balanced plan to reduce taxes as soon as the economic situation allows with a determination to provide an opportunity to the people of North West Durham who are ambitious for themselves, their families and the towns and villages we share.”
Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield, said that he was “of course pleased” with the outcome as a supporter of Rishi Sunak.
He added that he looks forward to the selection process and anticipate Rishi showing “he is the best person to rebuild our economy.”
Delivering the Freeport and putting the Economic Campus in Darlington were also “concrete examples of him delivering for the north” he added.
Mr Howell said: “I am of course also delighted that both candidates signed up to the requests of the Northern Research Group.
Read more: North East weather: Could there be another heatwave this week?
“These include to have a Minister for the North, a Levelling Up Formula and a Voxbridge in the north.
“This 'Voxbridge' would be a vocational college for our young people based in the north and be a catalyst for opportunities.”
-------
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel