BORIS Johnson has hit back at Prime Minister Theresa May and launched a scathing jibe back at her at the final Tory leadership hustings, saying “the house is darkest before the dawn”.
Boris Johnson promises to ‘restore trust in UK democracy’
The front-runner for Mrs May’s role snapped back at Mrs May, who hit out at him earlier today. Giving what may be her final speech before she leaves her role in just five days time, she told Chatham House that Britain has ended up with a political discourse where “if you simply assert your view loud enough, you will get your way in the end”. She added: “Or that mobilising your own faction is more important than bringing others with you. This is worsening our public debate. Both domestically and internationally, in substance and in tone, I am worried about the state of politics. That worry stems from a conviction that the values that all our successes have been founded cannot be taken for granted.”
Mrs May will love her role of Prime Minister on July 22, allowing for the next leader of the embattled Conservative Party to take over.
The favourite is Mr Johnson, who is known for his often brash and clumsy debate style.Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is battling for more votes, but is wadi to have lost backing when he said he would not rule out further delaying Brexit until after Christmas.
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Mrs May gave Boris Johnson a dressing down today (Image: GETTY)
9.34pm update: Jeremy Hunt gives Iain Dale his Union Jack badge
Jeremy Hunt gave interviewer Iain Dale his Union Jack badge after answering his last question on the care system.
9.32pm update: Jeremy Hunt said he would back helping young careers getting into university
Mr Hunt said he would put in place whole family support to help young careers get into higher education.
9.23pm update: Jeremy Hunt said the UK stands with Hong Kong
Mr Hunt said the UK stands fully with the people of Hong Kong when asked.
He was also asked if they would get new blue passports and said it was “a bigger question”.
9.16pm update: Jeremy Hunt said he would increase diversity in the Tory party by recruiting more youngsters
Mr Hunt said he would increase diversity in the Tory Party by getting more young people involved.
He said” I want every young person to know we are hungry for their votes.”
He also said cuts to police and social care “went too far” under David Cameron’s government.
9.13pm update: Jeremy Hunt said he will obliterate socialism from schools
Mr Hunt said he would obliterate socialism in schools through free debate and “staying true to our principles”.
9.06pm update: Jeremy Hunt backs Boris Johnson in not calling Trump ‘racist’ after tweets
Mr Hunt said he – like Mr Johnson – has a diplomatic relationship with the US, as “a great ally” and that both men “must be careful of the words they use”.
He also said he is a feminist but is not in favour of “all women shortlists” saying it devalues achievement.
9.05pm update: Jeremy Hunt says May’s Brexit deal is dead
Jeremy Hunt said Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement is dead “as it is now”.
He said he has “democracy in his gut and can deliver Brexit”.
He also said it will not be easy to deliver Brexit but “not is it impossible”.
9.02pm update: Jeremy Hunt says it would be ‘huge honour’ to serve Boris if he doesn’t win
Mr Hunt said if he does not win it “would be a huge honour to serve Boris”.
He added: “I hope Boris would say the same.”
8.58pm update: Jeremy Hunt says he ‘will leave no stone unturned’ to find a Brexit deal wth the EU
Mr Hunt said he “will leave no stone unturned” to find a deal with the EU, adding he is the “right prime minister” for the role.
8.47pm update: Jeremy Hunt says despite voting Remain he is capable of delivering Brexit
Mr Hunt praised Britain while urging the public to trust him to be able to deliver Brexit despite his vote for Remain.
He added he wanted to bring he message home that “we are still that great democracy that does what people ell us to do”.
Mr Hunt said he “will leave no stone unturned” to find a deal with the EU (Image: SKYNEWS)
8.47pm update: Jeremy Hunt takes centre stage
Jeremy Hunt has taken the stage following rapturous applause for Boris Johnson.
8.40pm update: Boris Johnson asked how he would tackle climate change – ‘new technology’
Mr Johnson said new technology is needed for Britain to tackle climate change.
He added: “I salute Theresa May and what she’s done in many ays but part setting the carbon target by 2050”.
8.35pm update: Boris urges London to ‘get rid’ of Sadiq Khan – ‘not a patch on the old guy’
Boris Johnson has slammed Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, calling him “useless”.
He said the City should “immediately get rid of the current useless Mayor of London”.
He added he had “not a patch on the old guy”, referring to himself as the previous Mayor of London.
8.32pm update: Boris Johnson calls Trump’s tweet ‘totally unacceptable’
Asked again on his feelings on Mr Trump’s tweet, he said “I think it’s totally acceptable to use that language of sending people back home”.
He added: “It went out a long time ago.”
8.29pm update: Boris Johnson vows to slash corporation tax
Boris Johnson vowed to cut corporation tax on the back of Jeremy Hunt’s promise to slash it to 12.5 percent.
Mr Johnson did not give a figure, but said it would be “very competitive” and added: “We will do great things on spending, infrastructure and policing.”
