Defence Sec Grant Shapps set to run for Tory leadership again if he keeps his seat
GRANT Shapps is gearing up to run for the Tory leadership again — if he keeps his seat.
Allies of the Defence Secretary claimed he would consider it if Rishi Sunak falls on his sword after the election.
A source said: “He could be the most experienced Cabinet minister surviving and has held some of the most senior positions in government.
“He will throw his hat in the ring if he keeps his seat.”
But asked directly, Mr Shapps said: “I’m looking at winning in Welwyn Hatfield. I think we are going to defy the polling. Our local data is good.
“My time-horizon is next Thursday. And then let’s see what’s happened.
“I’m looking forward to serving the country with the experience I’ve got in whatever capacity.”
Yesterday Shapps warned a Labour government could not be trusted with the nuclear button.
Grant Shapps insisted Sir Keir Starmer would leave the country dangerously “exposed” and “shred” Britain’s military capability.
And he stressed to voters: “You can’t trust Labour with their finger on the nuclear button.”
Sounding the alarm just days before the nation goes to the polls in this week’s General Election, Mr Shapps warned voters not to hand Labour a super-majority.
He said: “There are just five days to save Britain. It’s not too late. This is a flash warning.”
In an exclusive interview, the Tory big beast tore into members of Sir Keir’s Shadow Cabinet who voted against renewing Britain’s nuclear deterrent.
They include its deputy leader Angela Rayner, who voted against it in 2016 under Jeremy Corbyn.
She has stuck to her guns during the 2024 election race — despite Sir Keir announcing a “triple lock” vow to maintaining the deterrent.