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Tory Ministers Dodge Leadership Questions At Election Launch

'Why Do You Want To Be Tory Leader?'
Ned Simons
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Conservative cabinet ministers dodged questions about their potential campaigns to succeed David Cameron today, after five senior Tories presenting journalists with an easy target.

Ed Miliband launched Labour's election campaign in traditional style, alone at a podium. However the Conservatives decided to present journalists with an unusual line up of five cabinet ministers, instead of David Cameron.

The staging was designed to show that the prime minister was backed up by a strong team. However the event looked to many like a Tory leadership hustings. Chancellor George Osborne, home secretary Theresa May, culture secretary Sajid Javid, education secretary Nicky Morgan and leader of the Commons William Hague all took turns to speak.

The Daily Telegaph's Chris Hope could not resist. "Today is an unusual day, seeing so many senior Tory cabinet minister together," he said. "Please could each one of you say individually why you might make a good leader of the Tory party one day?".

Tory Ministers Face Leadership Questions
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(01 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: L-R Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague speak to members of the media during a press conference on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
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British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne (L) and British Home Secretary Theresa May (R) attend a Conservative Party press conference to present a their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
Conservative press conference(03 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne speaks during the Conservative press conference with Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague, First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary and Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(04 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, speaks to members of the media during a press conference on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Conservative press conference(05 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne speaks during the Conservative press conference with Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague, First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary and Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Conservative press conference(06 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne speaks during the Conservative press conference with Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague, First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary and Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(07 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, speaks to members of the media during a press conference on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(08 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(09 of29)
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British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne attends a Conservative Party press conference to present their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(10 of29)
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British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne attends a Conservative Party press conference to present their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(11 of29)
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British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne attends a Conservative Party press conference to present their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(12 of29)
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British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne attends a Conservative Party press conference to present a their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(13 of29)
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British Home Secretary Theresa May attends a Conservative Party press conference to present a their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(14 of29)
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British Education Secretary Nicky Morgan attends a Conservative Party press conference to present a their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
Conservative press conference(15 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne (centre) speaks during the Conservative press conference with (from left) Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women, Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague and First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Conservative press conference(16 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne (centre) arrives for the Conservative press conference with (from left) Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women, Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague and First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Conservative press conference(17 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne speaks during the Conservative press conference with Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague, First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary and Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Conservative press conference(18 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne (centre) speaks during the Conservative press conference with (from left) Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women, Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague and First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Conservative press conference(19 of29)
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Karren Brady attends as Chancellor George Osborne speaks during the Conservative press conference with Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague, First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary and Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Conservative press conference(20 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne (centre) speaks during the Conservative press conference with (from left) Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women, Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague and First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(21 of29)
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(L-R) British Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May and Leader of the British House of Commons William Hague attend a Conservative Party press conference to present a their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
Conservative press conference(22 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne (centre) arrives for the Conservative press conference with (from left) Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women, Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague and First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(23 of29)
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British Home Secretary Theresa May attends a Conservative Party press conference to present their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(24 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(25 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport speaks to members of the media during a press conference on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE-CONSERVATIVE(26 of29)
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British Culture Secretary Sajid Javid attend a Conservative Party press conference to present a their cost analysis of the opposition Labour party policy in central London on January 5, 2015. Britain goes to the polls in a general election on May 7, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(27 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Home Secretary Theresa May speaks to members of the media during a press conference on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Senior Conservative MP's Hold A Joint Press Conference(28 of29)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: L-R Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague arrive to speak to members of the media during a press conference on January 5, 2015 in London, England. The Conservative party members used the press conference to cast doubt on Labours spending commitments, claiming they cannot be fulfilled without either tax rises or more borrowing. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Conservative press conference(29 of29)
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Chancellor George Osborne (centre) speaks during the Conservative press conference with (from left) Sajid Javid, Culture Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Minister for Women, Theresa May, Home Secretary, William Hague and First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, and Equalities at Altitude 360, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

"We are not going to do that," Osborne quickly replied to laughter. "This is a team united behind David Cameron, a strong prime minister who will lead our country in the coming years to an even stronger economic recovery."

Hague is not a leadership candidate and intends to stand down from parliament at the election. However May and Osborne are widely seen as two of the front runners for the top job once Cameron calls it quits. Javid has been tipped as future leader and Morgan has also had a rapid rise through the Tory ranks.

One notable absence from the lineup, brought together to attack Labour's spending plans, was Boris Johnson. The London mayor hopes to return to parliament in 2015 and will likely challenge for the Tory crown once the prime minister steps down.

Osborne also dodged an earlier leadership question by insisting the cabinet was focused on winning the election in four months time. "In our party our leader is one of our strongest assets," he said. "In the Labour Party their leader is one of their weakest assets".

At his campaign launch earlier on Monday, Miliband said May's general election was a "once in a generation" chance to "rebuild" the country. The Labour leader said his party offered "hope not falsehoods" as he dismissed Tory claims the Opposition had made £20.7 billion in unfunded spending commitments.

Labour would make cuts to public spending, he said, but deal with the deficit "responsibly" - including through higher taxes on the wealthiest - but had made no promises funded by additional borrowing.

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