Suella Braverman Criticizes Sunak and Tory Leadership, Calls for Party Revitalization in Fervent Appeal to Grassroots

Suella Braverman criticizes the Conservative Party for 'imitating' Labour and 'alienating' its base in a harsh critique of Rishi Sunak

The ex-Home Secretary sharply criticizes her party for its election loss, accusing it of losing credibility and criticizing the decision to replace Boris Johnson with the previous prime minister, while gearing up for a Tory leadership bid.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 4:

Suella Braverman has criticized Rishi Sunak while reaching out to core Conservative supporters in the lead-up to a Tory leadership contest.

The ex-interior minister, recently re-elected to her constituency in Fareham and Waterlooville, criticized her party for allowing Members of Parliament, rather than the grassroots members, to force Boris Johnson out and install Mr. Sunak as his successor.

"Members selecting Boris Johnson as the prime minister propelled us to victory in 2019," she stated at the Popular Conservatives conference on Tuesday.

"Nevertheless, it was the Members of Parliament who deposed him and appointed Rishi Sunak as his successor, a decision made by MPs that ultimately led to our most significant setback.

"This effectively stripped members of their rights, their ability to express themselves, and their opportunity to participate. We must ensure it doesn't occur once more."

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Mr. Johnson secured a significant victory in the 2019 general election, only to step down later following a vote of no confidence.

Liz Truss was elected by party members, but resigned after 45 days. Subsequently, Rishi Sunak assumed the role of prime minister after Penny Mordaunt withdrew from the contest, avoiding a vote among the members.

Ms. Braverman is now anticipated to be a leading contender in the ongoing leadership race.

She reached out to the core Conservative supporters, stating that the party must rebuild confidence both among the general public and within its own ranks.

"Mistreatment of Members"

"She added that the Conservative Party's integrity has been compromised for far too long."

"Members at the grassroots level have been marginalized, stripped of their rights, and frankly, treated quite poorly."

Learn more: Updates on the changes in the Conservative Party's leadership team. Potential successors to Rishi Sunak as head of the Conservatives. Experienced Conservative becomes the prominent new Father of the House.

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"Erosion of democratic principles"

Ms. Braverman was forthright in her criticism of her party colleagues, asserting that local groups, who are most familiar with their constituents, were completely overlooked and disregarded in the candidate selection process.

She stated that "unfit and clearly unsuitable candidates" were brought in "simply because they were associates of the party's leaders, or because they had roles in Number 10."

"She described it as a complete sabotage of democracy within our party."

Ms. Braverman emphasized the necessity for the party to rebuild trust in the fundamental conservative principles that bring unity among its members.

This encompasses the issue of immigration, as we have shown timidity and reluctance, neglecting to address this urgent matter effectively.

"Imitating Work"

Ms. Braverman noted that the Conservatives appeared to be copying Labour, making it difficult to tell the parties apart, and stated that the Tories must declare themselves as "unapologetic and patriotic."

"We've spent too much time being anxious. We've held back, we've been timid in showing our patriotism and ambition," she stated.

"It's crucial for us to establish ourselves as the party that unequivocally supports the hard workers, the ambitious individuals, and those who take chances to improve their own lives, as well as the lives of their families and communities."

"Our message is clear: your background is irrelevant; it's your future that counts."

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'Government oversaw the disfigurement of minors'

On Monday, during her speech at the National Conservatism conference in Washington DC, Ms. Braverman criticized a significant number of her fellow Conservative politicians for being "liberal and progressive" due to their endorsement of flying the Progress Pride flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, on government department buildings.

She stated, "The Progress flag represents to me a single, horrific reality: that I belonged to an administration which oversaw the harming of children within our hospitals and schools."

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