THE Tories’ most powerful backbencher Sir Graham Brady last night opened the door to his own run for the party’s leadership. The 1922 Committee chairman has been tipped to stand in as an interim PM if the Brexit crisis deepens. But while he ruled out becoming a caretaker premier, the 51 year-old MP for Altrincham […]
THE Tories’ most powerful backbencher Sir Graham Brady last night opened the door to his own run for the party’s leadership.
The 1922 Committee chairman has been tipped to stand in as an interim PM if the Brexit crisis deepens.
But while he ruled out becoming a caretaker premier, the 51 year-old MP for Altrincham twice refused to dismiss the prospect of taking on the nation’s top job for the long term.
Brexiteer Sir Graham told BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster programme: “I’ve heard people suggest I would be an interim Prime Minister.
“My simple answer to that is I don’t think we need an interim Prime Minister.
“I don’t think the British people want people to be stepping in to do interim jobs. I think they’re be looking to chose someone for the long term.”
But quizzed on whether he would be prepared to be the next permanent Tory leader, Mr Brady would only say he is busy at the moment running the troubled 1922 Committee.
He added cryptically: “It would take an awful lot of people to persuade me.
“I’m not sure many people are straining at the leash at the moment to take on what is an extraordinarily difficult situation.”
If he does run, Sir Graham would join an already hugely packed field.
More than a dozen senior Tories have already thrown their hat into the ring to succeed Mrs May publicly or in private.
