There are few ministers who clashed more with Rishi Sunak during his time in office than Kwasi Kwarteng, from windfall taxes to net zero. Now the business secretary is among those touted to have a turn in Number 11.
Kwarteng has been a longtime loyal supporter of Liz Truss, making discreet inquiries with MPs about support for her potential leadership bid for many months. That dedication and his relative seniority has placed him as a frontrunner alongside Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, and Sajid Javid – who briefly held the job before.
