Penny Mordaunt slapped down Labour as she launched a passionate defence of Rishi Sunak in the Commons today.
The Commons Leader insisted the Prime Minister “doesn’t just get Britain, he represents the best of Great Britain”.
Ms Mordaunt was responding to shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell who highlighted how a No. 10 pollster had quit due to fears about the Conservatives’ chances at the next general election.
Her intervention comes after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed Mr Sunak “simply doesn’t get Britain” because of his wealthy background, while Tory MP Sir Simon Clarke said he “does not get what Britain needs” as he called for him to be replaced.
Speaking at business questions, Ms Mordaunt said: “Our Prime Minister is a man whose migrant parents made sacrifices to ensure he could have a good start in life.
“He worked hard to make the best use of every opportunity he was afforded. He studied hard, he pushed himself, and he had many career options but he chose a life in public service representing God’s own country.
“He protected this nation and livelihoods from the greatest financial and health crisis since the Second World War.
“He has risen through hard work and courage and determination to be this country’s first British Asian prime minister.
“He has shown global leadership on many challenges facing this country.”
Ms Mordaunt described Mr Sunak as a “wonderful dad”, adding that he “gives quietly” to charity and runs for his local hospice.
She also pointed out he is a cricket and football fan, a shareholder in three community pubs and a patron of Leyburn Brass Band.
She went on: “He doesn’t just get Britain, he represents the best of Great Britain, the greatest things we have to offer and what they mean to the world and our values: hard work, enterprise, taking personal responsibility for yourself and helping others.
“He is in no way confused about where his duty lies. You won’t find him taxing education or denying others the opportunities he has had, or voting against strengthening our borders, or siding with militant trade unions against the public, or compromising our energy security or our nuclear deterrent.
“Or opposing the deportation of foreign criminals, scratching his head about the monarchy, ducking difficult issues, or supporting the right honourable member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn).”
Echoing the Prime Minister’s own words about Sir Keir at PMQs, Ms Mordaunt added: “If the leader of the Opposition is a weathervane, our Prime Minister is a signpost.
“He knows what he stands for, he knows where the country needs to go, he has got a plan to get us there and that plan is working.”
She was responding to Ms Powell who said: “The Prime Minister’s own pollster, having concluded they are not providing the bold, decisive action required and that the Conservatives, and this is his words, not mine, are ‘heading for the most almighty of defeats’.
“Many agree. So can she just put everyone out of their misery and get on and call a general election?”
