Conservative leadership candidate, Rishi Sunak, came to Winchester this morning to meet local party members.
The MP for Richmond in Yorkshire, who grew up Southampton and went to school in Winchester, spent over an hour speaking with residents and answering their questions at the event held at the Winchester Golf Academy.
Questions ranged from the UK's future relationship with China to the environment, house prices, the NHS, immigration and agriculture. Mr Sunak also spoke about help for small business, his hope for a re-set in relations with the EU and future science research funding. And he said his priority as Prime Minister would be to rebuild our economy after the pandemic and get inflation under control.
Speaking after the event, MP for Winchester & Chandler's Ford Steve Brine, said; "It was great to welcome Rishi to Winchester and give local party members the chance to hear directly from him before they vote in this contest.
"For me it was a masterclass in positive vision for the future of our country and an impressive grasp of the detail which is exactly what I want from my Prime Minister.
"I reminded party members they have a huge responsibility this Summer and with that comes great responsibility, I want them, as I am doing on my Summer Tour and via my 'next PM' survey, to ask as many other non-party members as possible who they prefer out of Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss before they vote. And I reminded everyone how important it is to remember we, the people who work with the candidates every day in Parliament, consistently put Rishi ahead in our ballot. We did that for a reason.
"This was a really positive event and I hope party members present found it useful in deciding who to support. It was also great for us to welcome Rishi back home to the part of the world he knows best having grown-up here."
Mr Sunak left for a series of other similar events after stopping to chat one-to-one with more of those attending and posing for dozens of selfies.
The result of the contest will be announced on Monday 5 September 2022.
Pictured; Rishi Sunak addressing party members at the event.
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