Boris Johnson has made one of his first major campaigning moves of the General Election campaign, backing Simon Clarke to be re-elected in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.
The former PM, who has been relatively quiet since his successor called the snap poll last month, has stepped in to back Sir Simon.
Since Mr Sunak’s resignation as chancellor under Mr Johnson’s premiership in July 2022, triggering a mass exodus of MPs from government and party roles, the relationship between the men has been reportedly tense.
Last month Boris Johnson used his Daily Mail column to attack Sir Keir Starmer, but he is yet to publicly back Rishi Sunak as he now has with Sir Simon.
In a video posted to social media Johnson says: “Boris Johnson here, just saying how passionately I hope that Simon Clarke will be re-elected as the MP for Middlesbrough South because number one, he's been such a crucial part of the whole levelling-up agenda in Teesside.
“The Freeport, bringing back steelworks to the area, helping to save the airport, and it's vital that we keep Simon Clarke there to stop Ben Houchen from being simply surrounded by Labour MPs."
“Simon has been heroic in helping to get me elected, to get us all elected in 2019 with one of the biggest majorities our party has seen for a very long time, and of course, helping to get Brexit done and prevent Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer, and everybody else from unraveling it.
“I hope you'll vote for Simon Clarke, Middlesbrough South, on July the 4th.”
A spokesperson for Mr Johnson, who stepped down as PM in June 2022, said last month he was “as always, strongly supporting the Conservatives and encourages everybody to do the same”.
Mr Sunak said previously he had spoken to his predecessor and former boss amid speculation about what if any, role the former Prime Minister would play in campaigning.
Asked whether Mr Johnson would campaign for him, Mr Sunak told The Daily T podcast: “That’s a question for him. He’s a busy guy as well.”
In response to the endorsement, Simon Clarke said: “I’m delighted to have the support of Boris Johnson - the man who saw off Keir Starmer’s attempt to overturn Brexit and to install Jeremy Corbyn as our Prime Minister - twice.
“It was a privilege to serve in Boris’ government and to help overcome Covid with the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, to deliver the people’s decision to leave the EU and to make sure Ukraine was supported to stand up to Russia’s horrific invasion.
“More than anyone else, Boris gets why levelling up matters.
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"No national politician has done more for Teesside than him and he backed both me and our Mayor Ben Houchen to the hilt to deliver our Freeport and to invest in our communities.
“Above all else, Boris listened to the priorities of people on Teesside. While Keir Starmer patronised and tried to ignore us, Boris always listened. That’s why he is still loved here.”
Also standing in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland are:
- Jemma Joy, Liberal Democrats
- Rod Liddle, Social Democratic Party
- Rowan McLaughlin, Green Party
- Luke Myer, Labour Party
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