Penny Mordaunt vows to restore Tory ‘sense of self’ if elected leader

Trade minister likens Boris Johnson to Paul McCartney playing new songs when people want the hits

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Penny Mordaunt has launched her campaign to lead the Conservative party by vowing to overhaul Boris Johnson's failed model of leadership" and comparing the outgoing prime minister to Paul McCartney as she set out plans to dramatically slim down the cabinet.

The junior trade minister, who did not quit last week despite the wave of resignations that forced Johnson out of office, said the Tories had lost their sense of self" but pledged to fight on with the mandate secured in 2019, and suggested she would not call a snap general election if elected leader.