Two of the four want the leadership contest shortened (Image: Getty)
Two of the Tory candidates for the leadership have come out in favour of bringing the election date forward so they can personally deliver the party’s response to the Budget.
Writing in The Sun today, Robert Jenrick said he supports shortening the contest “so the new leader can hold this Labour Government to account for their broken promises when the eyes of the nation are watching”.
Asked if he agrees with Mr Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat told TimesRadio this morning: “Absolutely, yes. I’ve made that clear on several occasions.”
Despite their demands, Tory high command is pushing back and promising no changes to the current leadership timetable, which is due to conclude on November 2.
However this means that the new leader will not be in place for on October 30, which would have been a big opportunity for the to gain public attention.
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Rishi Sunak is preparing for his final outing as leader in the Commons (Image: Getty)
One person who will not want the leadership timetable brought forward is , who despite rumours he might take a back seat on Budget day and let take centre stage will be taking the fight to Ms Reeves.
The Express understands that Mr Sunak, who is now five points more popular than Sir , will be heading back to London after his one and only conference speech today in order to continue preparing his response to the crunch day in Parliament.
Sources close to the opposition leader reveal that Mr Sunak has been working on his Budget response “for weeks”, including meeting businesses, and stakeholders and preparing his speech.
They added: “Rishi will do what’s in the interests of the party.”
“He is currently preparing to do the response, but if the contest does get brought forward then it will be whoever the leader is at the time.”
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Some thought Jeremy Hunt may have been planning to deliver the Tory Budget response (Image: Getty)
Shadow Chancellor has been fronting the ’ rebuttal on the economy since they lost the election, including blasting Labour’s claims that he left behind a ‘£22 billion blackhole’ that they now need to clear up.
As a result of his bullish opposition, his approval among Tory members has rocketed, and he is now the second most popular member of the Shadow Cabinet.
The current Tory leadership timetable sets out that the four remaining candidates will spend the next few days at their conference setting their stall out to members, before heading back to London for a further round of eliminations.
Two more will be eliminated on the 9 and 10 of October, before members get to vote between the remaining two.
Ballots will close on October 31, before the official announcement on November 2.