A Conservative councillor in Falkirk is backing Kemi Badenoch to become the next leader of the Conservatives, saying the party is "in need of fresh ideas and personalities".
In January, Councillor James Bundy called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign in the wake of the 'partygate' scandal and he now welcomes his current leader's decision to step down.
Cllr Bundy said: “Boris Johnson was correct to resign. As a leader, you have a moral duty to follow the rules that you implement. Boris Johnson did not do this.
"Since these events were revealed, the news agenda has focused on the personality of Boris Johnson, not the policies of the party or the actions of the Government. His resignation gives us an opportunity for a fresh start and to get back on track.”
Now, the 25-year-old who was elected as a councillor for Falkirk North in May, says the the MP for Saffron Walden is just what his party needs as it searches for a new Conservative leader and Prime Minister.
On his Twitter account, Cllr Bundy said: “The Conservative Party is in need of fresh ideas and personalities. Kemi Badenoch has the intellectual philosophy and the personal integrity we need as a party, and as a country.”
“Kemi has a personality and a vision that will unite our country around a message of hope.
He later added: "A UK Government led by Kemi Badenoch will ensure that we move beyond the “us vs them” of the recent constitutional debate in Scotland and focus on the strengths of our United Kingdom: Cooperation and the pooling of resources.
"These strengths are what we need to focus on as our country faces increased challenges caused by the COVID-pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
A devout Catholic, Cllr Bundy was extremely critical of government decisions to keep churches closed during the pandemic - but says he nevertheless followed the rules thinking "we were all in it together".
Ms Badenoch served under Boris Johnson as equalities minister but was among the flood of MP's to resign in the wake of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid's respective departures.
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