Rishi Sunak visits Salisbury

Rishi Sunak was in Salisbury visiting local MP John Glen and Conservative party members today (31st July 2022).

Love Salisbury exclusively caught up with Mr Sunak as he watched the second half of the Women's England Euro final in the Bishops Mill pub.

Ahead of the England Women's 2-1 win at Wembley, Mr. Sunak said, "I'm out and about across the country and Wilshire today, talking to our members about my vision for the future of what I want to do for the country, hopefully as your prime minister.

"But, I wanted to stop and see your local MP John Glen, who's a good friend of mine and try and catch the second half of the football."

Rishi Sunak alongside Liz Truss are the remaining candidates to become the new Conservative leader and therefore Britain’s next prime minister.

Mr Sunak's message to local Tory members here in Salisbury is, "Focus on who can beat Keir Starmer in the next election. That's the most important thing. If we don't do that, then we can't put all our Conservative values and policies into action.

"I'm convinced that I'm the person that gives our party the best chance of winning everywhere, not just here, but across the country and ensuring that we win the next election."

Mr Sunak was accompanied by MP John Glen and local Conservative councillors including Cllr Charles McGrath, the leader of Salisbury City Council Conservatives, to watch the Lionesses in the Women's EURO final.

Speaking about being in the city and watching the game at the Bishops Mill, the leadership candidate told Love Salisbury, "The pub's great. The atmosphere's great. It's buzzing actually. We've been having lots of chats with all the locals here, talking to local business owners, actually people on holiday here, and it's been really positive and I'm loving it. Now we just need some goals!"

As Rishi Sunak finished chatting to Love Salisbury, he got his wish as the Lionesses scored their first goal of the match.

Talking to Love Salisbury, local MP John Glen said, "This is the first time he's been with me as the MP. I've worked very closely with Rishi for the last three years.

"I interviewed him to be an MP eight years ago. He's fantastic. I'm supporting him one thousand percent - and it's great to see so many people so enthusiastic here, right behind him this evening."

Previously, Salisbury's MP John Glen said to Love Salisbury that he thinks Sunak would be a "fantastic candidate" as the next PM.

Today, conservative councillors and John Glen were in support of Rishi Sunak to be the next leader.

Mr Glen said, "He's got all the qualities we need and as he's said himself, he's the one who can take on Keir Starmer and make sure that Conservative values and policies which have been so good for Salisbury can continue in this country."

The newly elected Conservative Councillor for Harnham West, Eleanor Wills, added, "It's fantastic. It's so great that he's here in Salisbury.

"We're all really keen to support him. He's a fantastic candidate and we really hope that Rishi will be the next prime minister."

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