It’s a rather strange leadership contest when the winner reaches the end without having said a single word in public. That’s what has happened in the case of the new Tory leader – and soon-to-be prime minister – Rishi Sunak. After Boris Johnson decided not to enter the race and Penny Mordaunt failed to reach the 100 MP nominations required, Sunak has been crowned the victor.
There were a few hints that unity won’t be plain sailing
Shortly after the result was announced, he addressed Tory MPs behind closed doors on the committee corridor of parliament. Sunak arrived with his team – which includes 2019 intake MPs Laura Trott, Claire Coutinho and Craig Williams – to loud cheers and the banging of desks. His message to MPs in the room was that the party needs to unify as they only have one shot at this, telling MPs it was ‘unite or die’.
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