Tory leadership outsider Rory Stewart gained backing today, in turn hitting the campaigns of more senior Cabinet colleagues, say party sources.
Paul Masterton, MP for East Renfrewshire, announced he was supporting the International Development Secretary, just hours after creative industries minister Margot James backed him.
Former party chairwoman Dame Caroline Spelman has yet to make a final decision on who to vote for in the second round tomorrow but praised Mr Stewart. “His stance on no deal is very important to me because of the jobs at risk in my constituency,” she told the Evening Standard, adding: “He performed well on the TV debate.”
Mr Masterton had backed Health Secretary Matt Hancock who pulled out of the leadership race and is now backing Boris Johnson. Mr Masterton tweeted: “I’m still looking for the same things: Energy, intelligence + enthusiasm with a clear vision for delivering Brexit + for the country beyond it,” he tweeted.
“Someone who really gets the Union ... Tomorrow I’ll be voting for @RoryStewartUK”.
Ms James tweeted: “@RoryStewartUK had the edge for me, energetic, determined and embracing the centre ground, I will support him for next PM”
Defence minister Tobias Ellwood also publicly supported Mr Stewart yesterday. As of mid-morning, the campaigns of Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid had not announced any new backers.
Mr Stewart, widely praised on social media for his performance in the Channel 4 debate, has overtaken Mr Hunt to be in second place in the race to succeed Theresa May, according to bookmaker Betfair.
His odds are now 12-1, compared with 21-1 for Mr Hunt, though Mr Johnson is the runaway favourite on 1-6. Mr Stewart’s success is hitting the campaigns of Mr Javid, who needs 10 more votes tomorrow to stay in the race, and Mr Gove, Tory sources said. “They are all fishing in the same pool for votes. We know from our MPs people are backing Rory until he goes out,” said one Tory source.
Mr Stewart faces a battle to gain the 33 votes needed to stay in the race after tomorrow’s ballot, having gained 19 in the first round with his stance of opposing no deal.
A Stewart campaign source said: “It’s increasingly clear where the momentum is in this race.”
