As Britain’s potential next leaders, they face never-ending demands to champion everything from Brexit, climate change and peace in the Middle East. But a letter from an Ipswich six-year-old calling for better treatment of goldfish appears to have caught the eye of both the UK’s next possible prime ministers.
Yet Jeremy Hunt has stolen a march on his rival with his quick reply pledging to "do my very best for the goldfish" - putting pressure on Boris Johnson to reveal his stance on something close little George Murray's heart.
The issue first started bugging George when he saw goldfish being given out as prizes at arcades on a visit to the seaside last year.
Even though staff at the amusement centre they visited explained it was above board, George told his mother Samantha Murray: "I'm not happy about this. The fish don't look happy about it."
Showing the zeal of potential future political campaigner, he would not let his strong views drop.
So when Ms Murray, a Conservative activist in Ipswich, said she would have the chance to see both Conservative leadership contenders at a hustings in Essex, George immediately seized the opportunity to take his cause to the most powerful people in the land.
Getting straight to the point, George wrote in his letter - complete with his own drawing of a goldfish - to both candidates: "My mum says you may be the boss of England.
"When you are the boss, can you stop sold fish being given as prizes at the seaside as the fish are sad."
Ms Murray gave the letter to Mr Johnson personally following Saturday, July 13's hustings.
While thanking George for the letter, the former London mayor remained tight-lipped about his position on the debate.
However after being passed George's letter by South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, Mr Hunt has replied with a personal handwritten note - saying: "Thank you for your lovely letter. No-one has ever written to me about goldfish before!"
The current foreign secretary revealed that he "took enormous trouble to look after" three goldfish when he was George's age - even though he admitted that "a bit like Nemo, they would probably have been happier in the ocean!"
He signs off by saying: "Alongside my many other campaign promises I will of course do my very best for the goldfish" - before praising George for a "beautiful letter".
Ms Murray said of her son: "If he sees there's been an injustice done, he doesn't let it go until it's been dealt with.
"If he sees wrong in the world and I can't explain why, he wants to find a solution as to how he can make that right.
"I like the fact he wants to fix it."
She said she has no burning ambition for her son to go into politics but will support him with whatever path he chooses in the future.
However, she hopes he will continue to recognise the difference between right and wrong.
Of the leadership candidates, Ms Murray had decided to back Mr Hunt even before his surprise goldfish pledge - but says she understands the appeal Boris Johnson has amongst his supporters.
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