| Midlands Tory MPs have begun to declare who they are supporting to replace Boris Johnson to become the next Prime Minister. And, well, no-one can seem to agree on who they want to be the next resident of Number 10, with a wide range of candidates gaining support.
Rishi Sunak is the early favourite but, interestingly, does not yet seem to have much support among Tory MPs in the West Midlands, who have begun to announce who they want to be the next leader.
It's a crowded field of candidates as declarations of support from MPs over the weekend prove there are mixed views about who is the right person to replace Mr Johnson, and what direction the Conservative Party needs to go in.
Junior minister Eddie Hughes, the MP for Walsall North, revealed he was supporting outsider Kemi Badenoch, while Solihull MP Julian Knight is backing Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Nicola Richards, the West Bromwich East MP who quit as a parliamentary aide last week, wants Penny Mordaunt to be the next PM. Meanwhile, Shaun Bailey, who serves West Bromwich West, has backed Home Secretary Priti Patel - who has yet to even announce if she is standing for the leadership.
Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, is backing former Health Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid. Staunch Johnson ally Michael Fabricant, the Lichfield MP, and Stafford's Theo Clarke, have both confirmed they are supporting Penny Mordaunt.
It suggests there could be a spread of support for several candidates as they are gradually whittled down to a final two, before party members choose their next leader and our Prime Minister.
Julian Knight said: "Britain needs to head back to a low tax economy and that's why I am backing Liz Truss to become our next Prime Minister."
Referencing an article in The Times, Eddie Hughes said: "This straight-talking approach will appeal to traditional Conservative voters as well as former Labour voters who lent us their vote in 2019. I'm proud to be supporting Kemi Badenoch."
Nicola Richards said: "I'm backing Penny Mordaunt for leader because I know she can unite our party as well as our country, and continue to deliver for my constituents in West Bromwich East."
Mike Wood said: "I'm with 'TeamSaj'. Sajid Javid has the combination of experience, ability, judgment and integrity - as well as the plan to strengthen the economy and cut taxes - that we need. He is up to the challenges that Britain and the world faces, and would make a great Leader and PM."
Shaun Bailey said: "We need Priti Patel in the leadership race. Her strong values, resilence and commitment to deliver in my view make her the ideal candidate to beat Labour and deliver for my communities across Wednesbury, Oldbury and Tipton. That's why I'm backing Priti." |
