Amber Rudd rules herself out of Tory leadership race…but hints she’d work with Boris Johnson
Rudd said it 'wasn't her time' to stand
AMBER Rudd has ruled herself out of the Tory leadership race – but has hinted she’d work with Boris Johnson if he’s the next Prime Minister.
The Work and Pensions secretary, 55, previously said the door was “slightly ajar” to her standing.
Rudd won’t say who she backs, but has said she won’t be throwing her hat into the ring.
She told : “I am conscious that the Conservative party wants to have someone who they believe is very enthusiastic about Brexit.
“I still think it is a difficult job to do but we can do it, we can make a success of it.
“There are all sorts of plans I would like to have when we do leave the European Union but I don’t think it is my time at the moment.”
Amid speculation she could become Johnson’s Chancellor, she said she “would like to lower taxes”.
Ms Rudd also said they were able to work together when he was Foreign Secretary and she was Home Secretary, and gets on “perfectly well” with Johnson.
I don’t think it is my time at the moment
Amber Rudd
Johnson said “of course” he was going to run to be Tory leader, while Jeremy Hunt has become the first Cabinet minister to vow to run to replace Theresa May since she resigned.
Tories from across the spectrum paid tribute to the PM for her hard work and dedication trying to get Brexit done – but in the end it was all in vain.
Rory Stewart confirmed he also wants the job – he was later promoted to the Cabinet in a mini reshuffle.
Ex-Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey became the first Tory to declare she would probably run to be leader – and has said she backs a No Deal Brexit.
The PM confessed today she now has no chance of ever getting her Brexit deal through Parliament but insisted “I have done my best” to deliver on the referendum result.
She said: “Ever since I first stepped through the door behind me as Prime Minister, I have striven to make the United Kingdom a country that works not just for a privileged few, but for everyone. And to honour the result of the EU referendum.
“If you give people a choice you have a duty to implement what they decide. I have done my best to do that.
“Sadly I have not been able to do so. I tried three times – I believe it was right to persevere even when the odds against success seemed high.”
She’ll stay in office for the next two weeks and then start the race of a Tory leadership contest.
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