Politics

Boris Johnson to call snap election ‘fairly soon’ says ex Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt


The sacked minister confirmed a major ballot was on the cards and used the British public to “make it a really good one”. Ms Mordant, who backed former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership race won by Mr Johnson six weeks ago, said the Brexit debate has created “a very engaged public” before adding even she was bored with politics at present. The ex-Cabinet minister, who was asked if she thought the Tory leader would call a general election this year, said: “I think a lot depends on what happens over the next few weeks.”

She added she had fought five elections so far.

She said: “I think I’m stacking up a record here. I think that we are likely to face an election fairly soon, but I really don’t know when that will be.

“I think what is important though is that we, and again I tried to do this in the leadership contest and I’ve tried to do it in all sorts of other things, we start to use those opportunities that we have, whether it’s the refurbishment of Parliament or whether it’s general elections to start to raise the tone in politics and also do politics in a way that is much more involving and allows people to contribute more.

“I’m a political fanatic. I do this for a living and I’m bored with some aspects of politics these days.”

She added: “So if I’m bored, God knows what it’s like for most people out there.”

But Ms Mordaunt said that one thing Brexit has done is create “a very engaged public”.

She added: “People know who I am. So if people know who I am they really know who’s in the Cabinet, they know what’s going on.

“That’s an opportunity. It should be an opportunity for us.

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“We’re on good terms. We’ve had dinner since he fired me. And when he fired me, I made it very clear to him that he was our Prime Minister and he would have my support to do the best he could for the country.

“And I think that’s what we have to do. We’ve got to recognise that at this critical time he’s the guy in the driving seat.

“He’s not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, I appreciate that,” she said.

Ms Mordaunt was asked about the prorogation of Parliament, and said: “I think the Prime Minister is in an incredibly difficult position and we are in pretty dire straits.

“And I think that he’s got few options left, and it’s not something that I would have done.

“I don’t think it is the end of democracy as we know it.”

Ms Mordaunt’s remarks come after Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid also fuelled speculation the Government is planning to hold a snap general election by announcing a “fast-tracked” spending review.

He said this week the review will be published September 4.



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