Rishi Sunak used his final appearance at PMQs as Conservative leader to highlight the importance of the Coast-to-Coast walk becoming a National Trail.

During his final Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), the MP for Richmond and Northallerton thanked Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and said he will be spending more time in Yorkshire – “the greatest place on earth” – once he is no longer leader of the Conservatives.

Rishi Sunak calls for coast-to-coast route to be National trail

Mr Sunak has successfully campaigned for the Coast-to-Coast route to be a National Trail, and work is soon to be complete.

Rishi SunakRishi Sunak (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

The outgoing Leader of the Opposition told MPs: "Since 2015 we’ve made significant progress with a campaign to make it a National Trail, and indeed, Natural England are close to concluding their work.

“So can I ask the Prime Minister to ensure that the Coast-to-Coast (walk) does indeed become Britain’s greatest National Trail, and in preparation for my return to the back benches, would he meet with me to discuss it?”

Sir Keir Starmer replied: “I thought he was about to ask me to join him on the walk, but certainly I will meet him.”

Mr Sunak added: “Mr Speaker, thank you for your kind words, and indeed, thank you to the Prime Minister for his kind words.

“Indeed, no prime minister looks forward to PMQs, but I always did like this pre-Budget one, because it was for a change, nice not to be the main event and just the warm-up act.

“But today is my last appearance at PMQs, and I’m happy to confirm reports that I will now be spending more time in the greatest place on earth where the scenery is indeed worthy of a movie set, and everyone is a character – that’s right, if anyone needs me, I will be in Yorkshire.

“And as an adopted Yorkshireman, I’m particularly looking forward to doing the coast-to-coast walk that runs through my constituency and many others."