Rishi Sunak is the only candidate who fits the bill for Prime Minister

I remember election night 2019 when Boris led us to victory and ended the post-Brexit chaos in Parliament. Together, he had an extremely broad coalition. He presented a clear and strong message to the British people: “Brexit”. They voted for him in incredible numbers.

He fulfilled his promise. With Lord Frost, Boris steered through the most comprehensive bilateral trade deal the world has ever seen, laying the foundations for a strong trade relationship with Europe, free from the shackles of Brussels bureaucracy. If that wasn’t enough, he led us through the biggest health crisis in modern times. With his foresight and courage in supporting Ukraine, he re-established the UK’s leadership in the world.

These extraordinary achievements will mark him as one of our most important Prime Ministers in history. He was the right leader at the right time. It was an honor to serve in his cabinet.

However, it would be naïve and sentimental to look back on those days. Today, a new crisis gripped the country. People are worried about their livelihoods, how they will pay their bills and mortgages. Will they keep their jobs. Our economy is hurting. Trust in politics is at a low level. Our Conservative Party is divided and headed for obliteration.

Things have to change. As a customer, we need to change. We must provide leadership, stability and confidence to the British people. We cannot indulge in parochial or nativist fantasies. Yes, I want the leader of our party and our country to inspire hope for a better future and lift our spirits. And I need a leader who will put our house in order and hold the steering wheel with a steady, careful hand. That person is Rishi Sunak for me.

We are in a significantly different world than in 2019. The country now needs above all stability. Until recently, the Conservatives had an unblemished record for their ability to govern wisely in tough economic times. We must restore this reputation – the future of our party depends on it, and our country expects it.

We need a prime minister who can win the support of the broad conservative family. Someone who can interact meaningfully with others, perhaps with a different shade of blue. I am ready to work with my colleagues in the national interest, even if we have disagreed in the past. We need to go beyond Leaver or Remainer; One Nation or ERG; to the right of the customer or to the left of the customer; wets or thatcherites. Now we all need to compromise and come together as optimistic and competent conservatives.

One person can make this team: Rishi Sunak.

And we need to solve the root problems that are holding us back. This requires a detailed plan and a methodical approach. The time for talking is over. We will only stop the crossing of the English Channel if we can actually pass key legislation to limit the impact of modern slavery laws, the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights. We will only have a sustainable solution if we have good relations with the French and the EU regarding cooperation across the English Channel. We will only stop spending £6m a day on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers if we have a coherent and rigorous delivery plan. We can only implement the Rwanda scheme if we prevent the Strasbourg court from disabling our policy-making powers.

In other matters too, we must take a firm stand on transideology in our schools and in our public sector, as the protection of our children must not be compromised. On the Northern Ireland protocol, Rishi has assured me that he will keep the current bill in Parliament to deal with border and constitutional issues

I am sure Rishi understands the enormity of these problems and will not shy away from making the tough decisions needed to fix them.

I have supported Boris since the beginning. From running alongside him in London in 2012, to supporting him to become our leader in 2019, and being ready for him to make it through the struggles of this year. His resignation in July was a loss for our country.

But now we are in dire straits. We need unity, stability and efficiency. Rishi is the only candidate who fits the bill and I am proud to support him.