Rishi Sunak has officially entered the Tory leadership contest, promising he will lead with “integrity, professionalism and responsibility”.

Mr Sunak, the second candidate in the race behind Penny Mordaunt, said he wanted to “fix our economy, unify our party and deliver good for our country”.

In a statement, he said: “I have served as your chancellor, helping to steer our economy through the most difficult of times.

“The problems facing us now are even bigger.

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“But the possibilities, if we make the right choices, are phenomenal.

I have a track record of delivery, a clear plan to tackle the biggest challenges we face and I will deliver on my 2019 manifesto promise.

“There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of government that I lead, and I will work day in and day out to get the job done.”

Mr Sunak on Sunday won the valuable support of Northern Ireland Secretary Steve Baker, an influential figure on the Tory right as a former Brexiteer backbencher.

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Mr. Baker was scathing in his assessment of what Mr. Johnson’s return would mean.

He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “Boris would be a guaranteed disaster.

Jacob Rees-Mogg confirmed that Mr Johnson intends to run, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuensberg: “I’ve spoken to Boris Johnson and it’s clear he’s going to run, he’s got a lot of support.”

It came as Nadhim Zahavi, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, became the latest supporter of Mr Johnson’s cabinet when he said he had “got the big calls right” and claimed “Britain needs him back”.

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https://www.politicalite.com/tories/another-go-rishi-sunak-enters-brutal-race-for-number-ten/