David HarberSalisbury’s MP refused to be drawn on who he wants to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.
Speaking to political commentator Camilla Tominey on GB News this morning, shadow paymaster general John Glen said he ‘respects all candidates’ for having the courage to stand.
It comes as former home secretary Priti Patel entered the leadership race. She joins Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride, Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly who are all in the race for the Tories’ top job.
“I rate them all”, said Mr Glen. “They’ve all made a significant contribution in different ways.
“What I think the Conservative Party needs to do is come to terms with this historic, catastrophic defeat, show a degree of humility and reflection over the summer, allow our membership to drive the outcome of this selection process.
“I’m not going to be drawn on who I will be supporting yet because I want to see all of them address many dimensions of the challenges we face both as a party but more importantly as a country.
“There are two things here. Who’s the most credible figure to be leading us in opposition and who’s going to then be a credible candidate to be prime minister.
“I think we need a lot of scrutiny over the next 3 or 4 months.”
My Glen who worked in the UK Treasury for five years was returned as MP for Salisbury earlier this month with a dramatically reduced majority.
After Rishi Sunak stated that he intended to continue serving as an MP, Mr Glen showed his solidarity with the former Prime Minister, “He’s a man of great integrity and he will do what is required for the party. I’m sure he feels this defeat personally and takes responsibility for it.
“Most people will recognise the way he’s conducted himself and it demonstrates the man’s great personal qualities.”
On whether he thought Mr Sunak would still be an MP through the entire term of the current parliament Mr Glen said, “I very much expect so. He took on the leadership in 2022 and he never had the support and unity that was required…
“I don’t know where I will be in 4 or 5 years time and we don’t know what the future holds.
“I think he’s got a lot to contribute to national life , I worked very closely with him in the Treasury and I have a very high regard for him”.
