Rishi Sunak: 'I am a Thatcherite... I will govern as a Thatcherite'

Rishi Sunak has pledged to “govern as a Thatcherite” as he seeks to become the UK’s next prime minister.

The former chancellor is in the final stage of the Conservative leadership contest, with foreign secretary Liz Truss also vying to replace Boris Johnson in Number 10.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Sunak said that his values are “Thatcherite” and that he is running as a Thatcherite.

Sunak has sought to portray himself as the heir to Margaret Thatcher, the prime minister of the UK between 1979 and 1990.

Thatcher is still highly regarded by many Conservatives, but is a divisive figure in Scotland.

Unemployment during her tenure rocketed, while she clashed with the ministers and introduced the poll tax north of the border.

We can only do this together.

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— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 20, 2022

“My values are Thatcherite. I believe in hard work, family and integrity,” Sunak wrote.

“I am a Thatcherite, I am running as a Thatcherite and I will govern as a Thatcherite.”

The Conservative MP claimed that “all the evidence” demonstrates he is the best candidate to win the next general election.

“If I were privileged enough to become prime minister, I would deliver a set of reforms as radical as the ones Margaret Thatcher drove through in the 1980s to unleash growth and prosperity to all corners of the United Kingdom,” he said.

“And as well as being the best candidate to deliver a 21st century set of Thatcherite reforms, all the evidence shows I am the best candidate to win the next election.”

Sunak promised to deliver a “radical” set of Thatcherite reforms.

He concluded: “We must win the next election, because any other result would threaten Brexit; the precious Union of our country, with Nicola Sturgeon extracting a second independence referendum from Keir Starmer; and wreak economic havoc, with Labour’s irresponsible management of the economy.

“As in 1940 and 1979, our country needs the Conservative Party now more than ever. I will deliver the radical set of Thatcherite reforms that will unleash growth and strengthen our society and culture.

“I am the candidate who will deliver these reforms. And I am the candidate who will safeguard them and protect our country from Labour by winning the next election.”