Rishi Sunak has kicked off his campaign to replace Boris Johnson and "restore trust" in politics - despite being one of the most senior Government figures to be fined for breaking lockdown rules.
In a swanky three minute video, the former Chancellor appeals to the public, describing how his parents arrived in Britain full of hope.
“My family gave me opportunities they could only dream of. But it was Britain, our country, that gave them and millions like them the chance of a better future," he says in the video.
“I got into politics because I want everyone in this country to have those same opportunities, to be able to give their children a better future.
“Our country faces huge challenges, the most serious for a generation. And the decisions we make today will decide whether the next generation of British people will also have the chance of a better future.”
Rebel Tory MP Mark Harper swiftly backed Mr Sunak's campaign. Mr Harper had ran in the 2019 leadership race.
Tweeting his support, he said: "I’m ready for Rishi as he represents a return to traditional Conservative values and has an exciting vision for the future of our country."
As Chancellor in March, Mr Sunak passed the opportunity to help millions of struggling Brits as the cost of living crisis worsened, with his disastrous Spring Statement.
For several weeks after the mini budget, Mr Sunak went on broadcast rounds telling Brits the Government "cannot solve every problem".
In his leadership video, he insists the UK cannot tell itself “comforting fairy tales”.
“Someone has to grip this moment and make the right decisions. That’s why I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your prime minister.”
Only three months ago Mr Sunak was forced to apologise after he received a fine for breaching Covid regulations.
In a statement he understands “that for figures in public office the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence”.
But he did not stand down as Chancellor, until Tories began to mount pressure on the Prime Minister to stand down, over his handling of the Chris Pincher scandal.
Mr Sunak quit his role as Chancellor minutes after former Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government was not "acting in the national interest".
The former Chancellor said in his resignation letter to the PM the public expected government to be conducted "properly, competently and seriously".
Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, and Attorney General Suella Braverman have already said they will be putting their names forward.
More are expected in the coming days including Mr Sunak’s successor as Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Following elections to the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee on Monday, the new body will draw up a timetable for the leadership election.
