Suella Braverman has predicted that the Tories can win the next election despite their historic defeat in July, thanks to Keir Starmer's astonishing implosion.
The former Home Secretary broke her silence this morning, after going underground following her own attempt to become leader of the party for a second time.
Speaking on LBC this morning, she finally endorsed a leadership candidate and said they can take the Tories to a shock return to power in 2029.
Ms Braverman revealed she is backing Robert Jenrick over Kemi Badenoch, her former deputy at the Home Office who sees eye-to-eye with her on the necessity of leaving the ECHR to tackle illegal migration.
The former Home Secretary said she is excited about the "new chapter" both will bring in, and both will do a good job, but Mr Jenrick's promises on immigration have clinched her support.
She told Nick Ferrari: "I think there's one candidate who does stand out though his conviction by resigning on principle from the Cabinet over the government's failure to deliver on immigration."
"But also through his subsequent plans and observations on how we actually address the problem.
"Robert Jenrick has been robust in leaving the ECHR, which I believe is the root cause of our failure to stop the boats, because he's committed to an unequivocal cap on visas to turn the tide on unprecedented legal migration, he has my vote."
Ms Braverman said that the Tories can win the next election, largely because of Keir Starmer's "collapse" since entering Downing Street.
She observed: "I want us to win, I do believe we can win."
"I have never seen any government of any stripe collapse so quickly as this one has in 100 days.
"We've got scandals, we've got broken promises, and we've got mismanagement and incompetence. You couldn't make it up."
Mr Jenrick has since warmly welcomed Ms Braverman's public support, which some think could deliver him additional votes from Tory members thanks to her personal following among the grassroots.
He tweeted: "As former Home Secretary and Attorney General, Suella Braverman knows all about the legal obstacles preventing us from securing our borders."
"She knows we need a plan today, not a promise of one in the future."
"Thank you for your support."
Ms Braverman used the LBC interview to deny that she's seeking another senior brief in the shadow cabinet following the leadership election, insisting she is "just very excited about the fact that we are turning a new chapter... for the party."
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