James Duddridge, the Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, has released the following statement after attending Boris Johnson's official leadership campaign launch on Wednesday.
James, who publicly joined the campaign to #BackBoris last week, said:
"Boris Johnson's impressive speech to a jam-packed room this morning shows once again why he is the man to lead our great country. I know how strongly constituents in Rochford and Southend East feel about Brexit and ensuring democracy is respected and we leave the European Union as a priority.
"The recent European Elections showed the level of discontent amongst the public regarding the failure of the Conservative Government to deliver what they voted for and what we promised to do. That is why it is so important that we get this decision right.
"It is my belief Boris is the man best placed to deliver the referendum result by October. He can win back our lost voters and gain the Conservatives seats at the next election. As the former London Mayor for eight years, he has proven he can reach voters the Conservative Party would not usually expect to be onside.
"He can inspire our great country, defend Conservative values and with a strong domestic agenda, ensure the Conservatives remain in Government for many years after we have left the European Union.
"The stakes of this leadership election are high. Get it wrong and we risk a hard-left government under Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party whose socialist policies would devastate our economy and harm the pockets of everyday hardworking families.
"I strongly feel Boris Johnson is best placed to make sure this does not happen."
