Conservative MPs in the Bristol area are supporting a variety of candidates in the leadership race to replace Boris Johnson. Eight candidates went through to the race to be PM as voting began today (July 13), and six now remain.
Last night, Sajid Javid pulled out of the race to replace Boris Johnson as the next leader of the Conservative Party. The former health secretary who grew up in Bristol will not appear on the ballot paper as Tory MPs vote to slim down the candidates this week.
The MP for Bromsgrove pulled out minutes before the deadline after failing to secure enough support. It leaves eight contenders on the ballot paper as Tory MPs begin voting to elect a successor to Boris Johnson.
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Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat, Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Jeremy Hunt, Nadhim Zahawi and Suella Braverman all secured the 20 nominations from fellow MPs needed to enter the leadership contest. Jeremy Hunt and Nadhim Zahawi were eliminated in the first round of voting after failing to reach the threshold of 30 MPs’ votes needed to reach the second ballot.
In the Bristol area, Dr Liam Fox - the MP for North Somerset - has said he is supporting Rishi Sunak to be the next leader of the Conservative Party. He wrote on Twitter: "Our next Prime Minister must tell the truth to the British people about our economic challenges, and have a credible conservative plan for growth and lower taxes.
"Rishi is the only candidate with the experience, integrity and vision to do this and therefore gets my support."
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore is also supporting Mr Sunak. He tweeted: "A time for choosing. I have decided that Rishi Sunak is the best candidate to maintain our climate commitments, to support net zero and protect our environment and economy in the future."
However, the MP for Weston-super-Mare John Penrose is support Penny Mordaunt. He tweeted: "Our country is facing some enormous challenges: soaring food and energy prices, a war in Europe, and taking advantage of our new sovereignty to become a global force for good now we have left the EU.
"We need someone who is strong, experienced and who understands there isn't a moment to lose. Penny Mordaunt has all those qualities, which is why I am supporting her to become our next Prime Minister."
Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, is backing Liz Truss on the other hand. He tweeted: "Liz Truss was the most supportive cabinet minister in helping me get Brexit opportunities, she is the right choice for the party and the country."
Jack Lopresti MP, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, and Luke Hall, MP for Thornbury and Yate, have not said who they will be backing at the time of writing.
However, Mr Hall wrote on his Facebook page last weekend: "I haven’t yet decided who to vote for yet, and it’s not guaranteed that whoever I chose will get through the various rounds of voting. Your views will help me decide through the process."
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