Neil Parish has outed his support for Defra Secretary Michael Gove to be the country’s next Prime Minister.
The chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Select Committee said he had been paying close attention to Mr Gove’s ‘hard work’, suggesting his ‘stand-out’ communication skills and eye for detail had left Defra in a strong position as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
He said Mr Gove’s work on the Agriculture Bill was ensuring farmers could thrive after Brexit, while his work on the Environment Bill would make sure the planet was ‘healthier and more prosperous for the next generation’.
Mr Parish said: “Michael Gove has been a stand-out communicator when he has appeared in front of the Select Committee – and his eye for detail means I am confident Defra is in a strong position as we leave the EU.
“Furthermore, he has demonstrated time and again that he truly understands the needs of our farmers.
“He wants to see a productive and prosperous farming industry in this country, and he has seized the opportunities brought about by Brexit to try to make this happen.
“Michael is ready to lead and I am pleased to back him to be our next Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.”