Rishi Sunak has declared he is running in the Tory leadership race by promising to "fix" the ailing UK economy,
He tweeted: “The United Kingdom is a great country but we face a profound economic crisis.
“That’s why I am standing to be leader of the Conservative Party and your next prime minister.
“I want to fix our economy, unite our party and deliver for our country.”
Tory MPs wishing to be a candidate in the race to become the next PM have to secure the support of 100 colleagues by tomorrow.
Sunak, Boris Johnson and Penny Mordaunt are expected to be the candidates.
The former chancellor, who fell out badly with Johnson when he resigned from his Cabinet in the summer, is ahead and speculation has mounted he could win without a contest.
Declaring his prime ministerial ambitions, Sunak wrote: “I served as your chancellor, helping to steer our economy through the toughest of times.
“The challenges we face now are even greater. But the opportunities, if we make the right choice, are phenomenal.
“I have the track record of delivery, a clear plan to fix the biggest problems we face and I will deliver on the promise of the 2019 manifesto.
“There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of the government I lead and I will work day in and day out to get the job done.
“I am asking you for the opportunity to help fix our problems. To lead our party and country forwards towards the next general election, confident in our record, firm in our convictions and ready to lead again”.
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