Twelve candidates have put their names forward to be the next Conservative Party Leader, with Oxfordshire’s MPs making their allegiances public.

As of 3pm on Monday the PA news agency had confirmed that 12 Tory candidates had put their names forward to be the next leader and Prime Minister.

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Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Tom Tugendhat, Liz Truss, Kemi Badenoch, Nadhim Zahawi, Jeremy Hunt, Suella Braveman, Sajid Javid, Grant Shapps, Priti Patel and Rehman Chishti have all put their names forward for the top job.

Members of Parliament across Oxfordshire have swung their support behind a variety of different candidates.

This is who Oxfordshire’s MPs are backing:

Robert Courts

MP for Witney and West Oxfordshire Robert Courts has thrown his support behind his boss Grant Shapps, the secretary of state for transport.

Mr Courts said: “I’ve seen up close how Grant has turned around a struggling department, through outstanding competence and excellent communication. He is the right person to take our country forward.”

Victoria Prentis

North Oxfordshire MP Victoria Prentis has backed Rishi Sunak to be the next leader of the Tory party and Prime Minister.

In a statement, she said: “Rishi Sunak’s energy, decency and pragmatism are what we need to tackle today’s challenges.

“Throughout the pandemic, he saved jobs and businesses across the UK. He will unite our party and our country, rebuild our economy, and be a true leader on the world stage.”

David Johnston

Wantage and Didcot MP David Johnston has said he is supporting the newly appointed chancellor of the exchequer Nadhim Zahawi.

He wrote on Twitter: “I want the next PM to make social mobility one of their key priorities. Having worked for him as PPS, I believe that @nadhimzahawi – who came to the UK unable to read a word of English and now represents the seat of Shakespeare – is the person to unleash the country’s potential.”

John Howell         

Henley MP John Howell has kept his cards close to his chest and not revealed who he is backing.

Councillors and other Conservative politicans 

Liam Walker 

Oxfordshire County Council councillor and shadow cabinet member for highways has thrown his support behind Penny Mordaunt. 

He said: "The next leader of our party needs to be someone who has the experience and capabilities to lead a Government and our party with a clear break from the past. I strongly believe Penny has the ability to take our country and our party forward by leading a strong team who will focus on the pressing issues our country faces both at home and abroad. 

"We also need a party leader with a track record of not being afraid to take on Labour and ensuring they don't get back the keys to No10. Penny is the Prime Minister this country now needs to take us forward." 

 

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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