Tory leadership contest reaches Dorset

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are trying to boost their chances of becoming the next prime minister

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak
Author: Jason BeckPublished 2nd Aug 2022
Last updated 2nd Aug 2022

Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak brought his campaign to Dorset on Monday.

The former chancellor answered questions from Conservative party members in Sturminster Newton.

Leadership rival Liz Truss is bringing her campaign to West Dorset, visiting the Dorchester area on Tuesday.

At a hustings in Exeter, Rishi Sunak declared himself "definitely the chance candidate" and spoke against uncosted tax cuts because of the economic problems they could bring.

In a lighter moment during the almost two-hour session, rapid-fire questions saw both Lizz Truss and Mr Sunak disclose the professions they would like to be doing if they weren't MPs.

Mr Sunak disclosed that he wanted to be in Star Wars when he was younger, but would now be extremely happy to run his beloved Southampton Football Club.

Ms Truss said she would like to be a food critic or writer, as she enjoys food.

Liz Truss has received a boost in her bid to replace Boris Johnson after she received the backing of former leadership rival Penny Mordaunt.

The Portsmouth MP narrowly lost out to Ms Truss for a place in the final two in the Conservative party leadership race with Rishi Sunak.

Ms Mordaunt has given her support to Foreign Secretary Ms Truss, calling her the "hope candidate".

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.