Scousers have reacted to the prospect of Esther McVey becoming deputy Prime Minister after leadership contender Jeremy Hunt announced the former Wirral MP will be his number two if he gets the top job.
Mr Hunt is one of a number of Conservative MPs running to replace Boris Johnson as leader of the party and the new Prime Minister. The former health secretary is not currently seen as one of the favourites to win.
But in a clear bid to appeal to the right of the party, Mr Hunt announced this weekend that if he were to beat the odds and win the keys to Number 10, he would make Ms McVey his deputy Prime Minister.
READ MORE: What do you think about the prospect of Deputy Prime Minister Esther McVey?
Born and raised in West Derby in Liverpool, Ms McVey was previously the Conservative MP for Wirral West before she lost her seat in 2015. She then made a return to Parliament in the safe Tory seat of Tatton which she still holds today.
Despite hailing from Liverpool, she is pretty unpopular in her home city for her stances on various topics, including taking aim at vulnerable people. She championed the hated Bedroom Tax, claimed sanctioning people on benefits helped people to get into work and infamously said it was 'right' and 'positive' that people who were unable to afford to eat were turning to foodbanks.
As such, news the former GMTV presenter could be making her way back into the heart of government - if Mr Hunt was to be successful - has not gone down especially well with Scousers.
Responding to the news on the ECHO's facebook page, Kellie Rixon said: "He's just ruled himself out then, couldn't stand having to listen to her." Joan Lewis added: "God help us all if she becomes deputy Prime Minister."
Sylvia Jones said: "That’s a good enough reason not to vote for Jeremy Hunt. Lots of people will be very glad he’s made that public now. The public detest her." Bytha Bell added: "No way, she has a heart of stone." Steve McArdle said: "What an appalling set of views she has, she can be nowhere near the front bench."
People also took to the ECHO website to give their views on the possible appointment. One said: "That would be my worst nightmare", while another reader added: "Couldn't think of a more unsuitable person."
As things stand, the prospect of Esther McVey taking up such a position seem slim. Mr Hunt is certainly an outsider in the race for Number 10. As things stand former Chancellor Rishi Sunak is the frontrunner ahead of the likes of Penny Morduant, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat and Nadhim Zahawi.
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