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22
Oct 2022
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP: 'I'm ready for Rishi'
Andrew Jones throws his support behind Rishi Sunak — but fellow local MP Nigel Adams says Boris Johnson is the only candidate with a mandate to be Prime Minister.
Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he is backing Rishi Sunak to be the next Prime Minster.
The odds on Richmond MP Mr Sunak winning shortened overnight to 4/7, according to betting site Oddschecker.
Boris Johnson has slipped slightly to 79/40 and Penny Mordaunt remains the outsider at 16/1.
Mr Jones did not respond to questions from the Stray Ferret about who he was supporting but told his Community News website:
“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.
"He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.
“I admired how he dealt with the Herculean challenges which faced the country when covid hit. He worked at pace to save businesses and jobs and to provide the cash our NHS needed to get us through the pandemic.
“This vote is about the future. That future needs energy and ability at the top of our politics. It needs someone who can assemble and lead a broad-based team. For me, that person is Rishi Sunak.”
Read more:
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Mr Jones joins fellow local Conservative MP Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, in backing the former Chancellor.
However, Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams has thrown his weight behind Mr Johnson, who he served as a Cabinet Office minister.
Mr Adams has said Mr Johnson is the only candidate with a mandate to be Prime Minister and if anyone else is elected it will increase the likelihood of an early general election.
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