Tom Tugendhat offers extensive apology for Tory failures | Politics | News

Former minister Tom Tugendhat will apologise for the failures of the last Conservative government when he makes his leadership bid.

In a speech in Westminster, he will express his anger at the infighting within the party that led to the dramatic defeat in the election.

Mr Tugendhat will promise a return to “honest” politics and admit that the previous government failed to deliver what it promised.

He will say, “My promise, as a leader, is to return to the honest state, the responsible state.

“I will set out the agenda for the government to rebuild trust in the future, because I know this country has the best building blocks for future success.

“That’s why I’m not just running to lead the Conservative Party. I’m running to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”

The former Minister of Security tries to draw a line under the past and outline his vision for the future.

“Politics is important to people’s lives,” he will say. “That’s why I was so angry about the recent Games… We need a government that will serve, lead and act. That’s why I stand before you today. Because this country can change. We must change.”

He will add: “I believe that the future of our nation is at stake, that we face the threat of decline, but that it is within our power to change course. I ask you once again to serve. I will lead this party and this country on the journey it must take, and I will act in your best interests.”

The field of six candidates to replace Rishi Sunak will be narrowed to four by the time the Conservative Party meets later this month.

MPs will then hold further ballots to select the final two candidates from which Conservative members can choose. The results will be announced on 2 November.