Equalities minister Nicky Morgan ‘considering’ standing for Tory leader
Equalities minister Nicky Morgan has become the first senior minister to signal that she is actively considering a bid to succeed David Cameron as Tory leader.
Prime Minister David Cameron has previously suggested that he will stand aside as Conservative leader mid-way through the current Parliamentary session, to make way for a new leader.
Mrs Morgan, who was appointed last year as Secretary of State for Education was appointed as Minister for Equalities, has become the first senior Tory to signal her leadership intentions.
Though she voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Marriage) bill in 2013, Mrs Morgan has since become a supporter of LGBT equality and launched several initiatives to tackle homophobia in schools. She told PinkNews last year that she had changed her mind and would “probably” vote in favour of same-sex marriage.
Speaking to the Spectator, the MP for Loughborough was asked about a potential leadership run – and confirmed she would consider it.
She added: “A lot of it will depend on family.
“I’d be saying this if I was male or female — in the sense that being leader of the party is so all-consuming, putting such a pressure on family relationships.”
She added: “I hope that, in the not too distant future, there will be another female leader of a main Westminster political party.
“I would certainly hope there would be a female candidate, yes.”
Home Secretary Theresa May is the most prominent female linked to a potential run so far, though Chancellor George Osborne and Mayor of London Boris Johnson the most-touted candidates.
However, Mrs Morgan is the first minister to actually confirm she is considering a run.
Nicky Morgan is set to deliver a keynote speech at the PinkNews Awards held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this month, on October 21.
