Health secretary Matt Hancock has put himself forward to be next prime minister following Theresa May’s resignation.
Mr Hancock took the role of health secretary in July 2018, taking over from Jeremy Hunt – who has also announced his candidacy – having previously served as culture, media and sport secretary for six months.
Since becoming health secretary, Mr Hancock has focused on introducing new technology into the NHS, and was behind the NHS long-term plan, which emphasised GP practices working together as part of networks.
Mr Hancock told Sky News: ‘I’m running for the next prime minister because I profoundly believe we need a leader for the future and not just for now.
‘We need to deliver Brexit, and I will deliver Brexit, and we need to move this country forward, taking all the opportunities that Brexit brings.’
He added that a ‘no deal’ Brexit was ‘not an active policy choice that is available to the next prime minister’ because MPs had already voted against it.
He becomes the fifth MP to announce a bid for the leadership, following Mr Hunt, international development secretary Rory Stewart, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson and former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey.
This story was first published by our sister publication Pulse.
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