Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, introduced Liz Truss at the Conservative party hustings in Eastbourne on 5 August 2022
Nusrat's speech [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]
Good evening everyone and welcome to Eastbourne.
It’s good to be on home turf in East Sussex and to see so many friendly faces.
As Vice-Chair of the 1922 Committee I had to be neutral for the first part of this election.
Now I no longer have to be neutral, and many of you have asked me which candidate I will back.
Only our party, the Conservative Party, could have put forward two people with such a wealth of experience, vision, and yes, diversity.
The choice we have to make in this election is momentous for our country and our party.
And I am here to tell you I have chosen.
I have chosen to support Liz. Liz Truss, our brilliant Foreign Secretary.
I could tell you that the reason I have chosen to support her is that I have faith in her campaign.
And I do.
Liz’s plan for our country is bold. And it’s Conservative.
She will cut bills and steer us through the energy and economic crisis.
She will cut taxes that deprive families of their income. And that prevent our businesses from investing to grow our economy.
She will defend the unity of our nation and protect the peace in Northern Ireland.
I could tell you that I have chosen to support Liz, whose record in Government is second to none.
Who delivered dozens of post-Brexit trade deals.
Who stood against the tide of identity politics.
Who stood up to Russia, and to China - and you know that’s after my own heart as an MP sanctioned by Putin and President Xi.
All of these are good reasons to support Liz Truss.
But let me tell you something else. About her character.
Liz is straightforward. When she says she will do something, it gets done.
And Liz listens. When colleagues have an idea, or a problem to solve, she engages with them.
As a minister and as a backbencher I have found Liz Truss fair and honest. She reaches out and she unites across the party.
That’s a true leader.
In these uncertain times, and challenges for our party in government, Liz will bring us together.
It is only by working together that we can change things for the better.
It is only by working together that we can say that the best days of our country are ahead of us.
It is only by working together that we can win the next general election.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour and pleasure to introduce my friend, Liz Truss.
