Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps
(Picture: PA Wire)Former cabinet minister Grant Shapps has called for the Conservative Party to change its rules so it can install new leaders more quickly.
The ex-Transport Secretary, who was sacked by Liz Truss when she was elected Prime Minister in September, said parties “must not waste time” holding extended leadership contests while in Government.
Under current Tory rules, MPs whittle down prospective candidates to a final two and then the party membership votes for the winner.
Ms Truss and her rival Rishi Sunak spent eight weeks travelling the country and took part in 12 official hustings events in the race to replace Boris Johnson.
Mr Shapps told Matt Forde’s Political Party live show on Monday night: “When you are in power, you must not waste time because there’s too much going on. It’s inflation at the moment, but it will be something else at another period of time.
“I think our party members will understand actually, that this is not the time to be going out to the country and spending two months.
“It was too long during the summer...I think when you are in opposition it’s great - get to know the candidates, get to know the shadow cabinet.
“Great opportunity. But in Government, I think MPs need to decide. And I say that regardless of the current situation.
“I think we should just change the rules.”
Mr Shapps also said Ms Truss has “a mountain to climb” but stopped short of calling for to be replaced immediately.
“She has a Mount Everest to climb I’d say,” he said.
“I think what she needs to do is like threading the eye of a needle, probably with the lights off.”
Ms Truss apologised for her “mistakes” and pledged to lead the Tories into the next general election during a BBC interview on Monday night.,
The prime minister is fighing for her job after sacking Kwasi Kwarteng and bringing in Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor who set a bonfire of her tax-cutting plans.
She said she has “adjusted what we’re doing” after the Government’s fiscal policies spooked the markets and saw the pound crash, putting in place a new Chancellor with a fresh strategy to “restore economic stability”.
“I do think it is the mark of an honest politician who does say, yes, I’ve made a mistake,” she said.
Labour accused the Tories of sparking a crisis paid for by working people, and insisted “no sorry” could change that.
