The sprint to be Britain’s 57th Prime Minister was in full flow on Friday as contenders raced to get crucial early momentum.
A string of MPs publicly declared for Rishi Sunak early this morning, as the ex-chancellor and Boris Johnson were leading the field in the ultra-fast contest which could be decided as soon as Monday. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt was also getting backing.
By mid-morning, no candidate had declared they were seeking to become the next Tory leader, and premier, but fierce efforts were under way behind the scenes to gain the backing of MPs.
At least six more announced today that they were backing Mr Sunak, including Richard Graham, Guy Opperman, Robin Walker, Damian Hinds, Claire Coutinho, and Robert Jenrick. Mr Sunak, smartly dressed, did not answer questions from reporters as he left his home today, walking a few yards from his front door to a waiting Mercedes.
Mr Johnson’s father Stanley said he believed he was flying back to Britain from a holiday in the Caribbean, though this has not been confirmed. Winning the Tory Right could be key to whether Mr Johnson gains enough support to return as Prime Minister. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted this morning: “I’m backing Boris”.
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney argued that there is public support for Mr Johnson to return as “people have been coming up to me for the past week and saying they want Boris to come back, and I certainly do as well”.
Ms Mordaunt was also gaining some support, with former science minister George Freeman saying she “has what it takes to bring the unity, stability and economic responsibility we need”.
Right-winger Suella Braveman, who was sacked on Wednesday as Home Secretary, was expected to make a statement shortly.
It was also not clear what International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, the Right-winger who made her mark in the last contest, would do. To enter the contest, candidates will need the backing of 100 MPs by Monday.
In a change to the rules, MPs will also give an “indicative” vote to party members on who is their preferred candidate of a shortlist of two contenders in the contest to choose the next Tory leader, and Prime Minister, by Friday.
If either Mr Sunak, Mr Johnson or Ms Mordaunt can pull far enough ahead it could have a crucial impact on the final result, which could possibly be decided on Monday if the second person on the shortlist pulls out.
Tory peer and polling expert Lord Hayward said: “The views of members will be influenced by the scale of the margin between the two final candidates. There will be a body who will follow the MPs’ guidance because they have been rattled by what happened last time [Liz Truss being chosen].”
Mr Sunak was seeing the most new MPs backing him early today, which may be a sign that his campaign is more advanced than his rivals.
Early this morning, East Hampshire MP Mr Hinds tweeted: “For confidence, trust and unity; to lead our country through difficult times — the choice is clear. I’m backing @RishiSunak.”
Gloucester MP Richard Graham messaged: “What we need above all now is a PM with strong economic understanding and judgment. That person is Rishi Sunak.”
Tynedale and Ponteland MP Guy Opperman stated that
“@RishiSunak... was right about the economy during the summer: we need his leadership to get us back on track.”
Worcester MP Robin Walker said: “To deliver for Britain we need economic credibility, experience and great communication, someone who can be trusted to look after the most vulnerable, protect livelihoods and support our NHS — @RishiSunak has all of this and can bring the party together #ReadyForRishi”.
Newark MP Robert Jenrick added: “Rishi will restore public confidence in our party and market confidence in our economy.” East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho emphasised: “It’s been a difficult time for the country and the party. The global economy is facing new challenges and opportunities.
“We need someone who can steer us through. @RishiSunak is one of the best people I’ve worked with and I think he’s the right person for the job”.
Their declarations, as well as the support of North Wiltshire MP James Gray, is believed to have taken backing in public for Mr Sunak above 50, ahead of Mr Johnson.
Several MPs have been asking their constituents to email them with which candidate they would most like to see as Tory leader before officially declaring any support.
Darlington MP Peter Gibson said: “I want to hear from the people of Darlington what they think. We need a time of stability, and certainty, and we need to ensure we continue to level up.” Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher told BBC Radio Sheffield it was “important” to hear from constituents before he declared who he was backing.
Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has set up a poll on his website asking people to choose their preferred candidate between the three front-runners, plus Jeremy Hunt, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman or Ben Wallace or to add their own choice.
He published the results of his poll of constituents this morning, showing Mr Johnson as the landslide winner, with more than 60 per cent of the vote.
Sir Christopher Chope, the veteran MP for Christchurch, said: “The news that Boris Johnson might be riding to the rescue of the country and the Conservative Party is really a great tonic.”
But the party is bitterly divided over a return to office by Mr Johnson, with North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale saying he would not sit as a Conservative MP if that happened.
