Jeremy Hunt tells Tories: We need a 'serious' leader to defeat Jeremy Corbyn
2 min read
Jeremy Hunt has warned Tory Party members that only a "serious" leader will give them a chance of beating Jeremy Corbyn at the next election.
In a thinly-veiled swipe at Boris Johnson's record as Foreign Secretary, he said Theresa May's successor in Number 10 must be "someone who will earn respect at home and abroad".
Speaking as Conservative members begin voting in the party's leadership contest, he said it was "time to make a hard choice for the future not a feel-good one for the summer".
Mr Hunt's comments came as a new poll revealed that he trails Mr Johnson by a staggering 48 points.
The Foreign Secretary said: "The country always calls on Conservatives when we face difficult challenges.
"But lasting popularity for our party doesn't come from populism but from respect. Respect earned through competence, delivery and serious leadership.
"Without that respect we will put our country in the hands of a hard-left populist who has opposed British values his entire life.
"We are in a time of real and present danger to our country. It is time for a Prime Minister with a detailed plan for Brexit, an inspiring vision for our future and someone who will earn respect at home and abroad.
"It's time to make a hard choice for the future not a feel-good one for the summer."
In particular, Mr Hunt said he was the candidate best placed to be able to win back young voters who flocked to Mr Corbyn's Labour party in the 2017 election.
He said: "Corbyn’s buy now, pay tomorrow, pledges will sell young people down the river.
"They will be left to pick up the cost of Jeremy Corbyn’s £1 trillion spending splurges.
"Labour policies are eye catching today, but eye watering in the future when they boomerang back at young people with fewer jobs and higher taxes."
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