Tory leadership race: Matt Hancock says he would be a good leader because he 'gets s*** done'

Matt Hancock
EPA
James Morris5 June 2019
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Tory leadership candidate Matt Hancock has said he would be a good at running the country because he "gets s*** done”.

Health secretary Mr Hancock, currently an outsider in the leadership race, said it was the unique selling point of his bid to succeed Theresa May.

In an interview with HuffPost UK, he said: “I hope I’m decisive, I focus on what the country needs to be in the future.

“The other thing is, I think I’ve proved in half-a-dozen ministerial portfolios – latterly in health – is that I can get s*** done.”

He added: “I’m someone who’s got loads of energy, and optimism, and can drive things through government.”

It came after Mr Hancock said a no-deal Brexit was not a “credible” option, and that he would rather see a general election, second referendum or potentially no Brexit at all.

Declared Tory leadership candidates - In pictures

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Speaking at a Policy Exchange event, he said: "The first hard truth [is] no deal is not a credible policy choice available to the next Prime Minister.

"As the speaker has made clear, Parliament will block it as it did in March.

"That means the alternative is either a deal to leave the EU or a general election or second referendum and potentially no Brexit at all."

Meanwhile, one of Mr Hancock’s leadership rivals, Jeremy Hunt, has shared a new campaign video claiming the UK could quit the EU before the October 31 deadline.

Over stirring music, Mr Hunt said: "We can get a deal even before the end of October. Lots of people say it's impossible.

"I like to prove people wrong."

The foreign secretary said he would "bring our country together", in stark contrast to the message of rival candidate Esther McVey who he said would sack every Remainer from the Cabinet.

Steve Baker pictured in Whitehall in January
Dominic Lipinski/PA

One no-deal candidate who could stand is European Research Group (ERG) deputy chairman Steve Baker.

Launching a paper on how to rip up the current Brexit deal and achieve a "clean, managed" exit from the EU, Mr Baker said the new leader must be willing to follow its recommendations.

Otherwise, Mr Baker said, the hardline group would need to put forward its own candidate - and he was willing to join the race when it officially opens on Monday.

“I am in the hands of my colleagues," he said.

"If we get to the opening and closing of nominations on Monday and we collectively agree there must be somebody who is willing to do this then I would be willing to be the person who gets nominated."

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