'˜I have seen a huge opportunity' says Northants MP Leadsom as she mounts campaign to be Prime Minister

Northamptonshire South MP Andrea has launched her campaign to run for leader of the Conservative party with a low-key Youtube video.
Andrea Leadsom launches her leadership camapign witha low-key Youtube clip.Andrea Leadsom launches her leadership camapign witha low-key Youtube clip.
Andrea Leadsom launches her leadership camapign witha low-key Youtube clip.

In another extraordinary morning, which has seen former education secretary Michael Gove announce he would run after all and the bookies’ favourite Boris Johnson pull out, Mrs Leadsom has launched her campaign to take over as the leader of the country.

In a cameraphone video taken outside the Houses of Parliament, Mrs Leadsom made her first official announcement having posted her nomination papers.

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She said: “I am delighted to say that I have put in my nomination papers for Conservative leadership today.

“I have seen a huge opportunity from the result of the referendum.

“Britain, the UK can be so much better in the world.

“The future for our children, our grandchildren will be so great.

“But what we have to do now is to all put together and make that opportunity a reality.”

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So far five MPs have thrown their hats into the leadership race ring.

Alongside Mrs Leadsom there is Mr Gove, former defence secretary Liam Fox, home secretary Theresa May and current work and pensions minister Stephen Crabb.

Some of the comments on the Youtube video show good early signs for Mrs Leadsom’s campaign.

Andy Smith, wrote: “BORIS IS OUT. Go for it Andrea!”

Paul King, said: “You are the only person who deserves to be the PM and represent Britain.”

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In the past hour, Mrs Leadsom told the BBC she was shocked about Boris Johnson pulling out the leadership race.

She said she was sad about what happened between Johnson and Michael Gove with both having worked alongside one another during the referendum campaign.

Making her pitch for the leadership she said: “Delivering on the referendum result means that our Parliament taking back sovereignty and we take back freedom of movement.

“The single market is a bit of a 1950s construct, when there were huge trade barriers.

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“I think there’s a huge opportunity for the UK to now to trade with the rest of the world - the 80 per cent of the world’s economy not in the EU.

“I’ve had 25 years’ business experience in the financial sector, running businesses. I’ve started up charities and campaigns.

“So I have a lot of real-world experience.”

She also pointed out she has experience of being in government, whereas David Cameron had no experience when he was elected leader.