This is not the time to change Conservative leader, UK minister argues

This is not the time to change Conservative leader, UK minister argues
October 18, 2022, 7:30 pm

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This is not the time to be changing leader, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey has argued, as he defended the prime minister, the BBC reported.

Suggestions that there is a candidate to replace Liz Truss who would unite the party is "for the birds", he added.

Mr Heappey said the public "will not indulge the Conservative Party tearing itself apart" with another change of leadership.

"We have seen over the past two or three weeks what the economic price of political instability has been," Mr Heappey added.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast he admitted the mini-budget was "unhelpful".

He said "dozens" of his Tory MP colleagues are "gravely concerned" but "they like me recognise this is not the time to be changing leader again".

UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey - Photo. RMASandhurst @RMASandhurst

And speaking to Sky News, Mr Heappey also said that "given how skittish our politics are" at the moment "I don't think there's the opportunity to make any more mistakes".

Ms Truss has insisted she will lead the Conservatives into the next general election, despite U-turns leaving her battling to salvage her authority.

Labour is calling for an election regardless of Ms Truss's position.

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for Ms Truss to stand down, and for the government to call an election.

"The real risk now is carrying on with this lot rather than having a general election and bringing in a Labour government and securing the economy," Sir Keir said.

"We can't go on like this shutting the public out."

The prime minister is expected to hold talks later with the European Research Group of Tory MPs, who are on the right of the party.

And Ms Truss has been holding meetings with her cabinet ministers and backbench MPs as she tries to reassure her party.

levantnews-BBC

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