Who Lancashire Conservative MPs are backing in leadership race

The race for Number 10 is on as various Conservative MPs throw their hats in the ring to become their party’s next leader, after Boris Johnson was ousted from office after his latest political scandal.

Johnson resigned on Thursday as Prime Minister after a swathe of cabinet resignations over the Chris Pincher affair, the latest in a string of scandals which ultimately brought his premiership to an end.

Ever since, fellow MPs have been preparing leadership bids with a number of top Tories saying they want the top job.

A number have also ruled themselves out of the race, or declared who they are backing for the leadership.

The leadership race has now been whittled down to two, who the Tory membership will vote for who they want as the next leader and Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.

Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister last week. Pic: PA

But who are Lancashire’s Tory MPs backing for the top job?

Here we have rounded up how each of them stand on the leadership race and who they want as the next Prime Minister.

Sara Britcliffe, Hyndburn

Yet to formally announce who she is backing, but has ruled herself out of the running.

The 2019 intake MP resigned as a PPS in Education last week, joining the more than 50 MPs who quit to force Johnson out.

Has been heavily retweeting Nadhim Zahawi content in recent days, suggesting she is backing the new Chancellor. Zahawi fell at the first hurdle not making it past the first ballot.

Has been asking her constituents who to back as the race goes on.

Backing Truss.

Antony Higginbotham, Burnley

The 2019 intake backbencher announced on July 18 he would be backing Penny Mordaunt for the leadership.

He said she has his backing as she is "a Brexiteer, is committed to levelling up, and knows how to hold off Labour".

Backing Truss.

Andrew Stephenson, Pendle

Appointed to Johnson’s in-limbo Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio, and now also co-chair of the Conservative Party.

As such, he said, he will remain neutral and not cast a ballot.

Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley

The deputy speaker has yet to announce who he is backing.

Given his role in the Commons it’s unlikely he will announce publicly; just as he did not publicly take a side in the vote of no confidence into Johnson or on his premiership in its dying days.

Jake Berry, Rossendale and Darwen

Has ruled himself out of the race, and announced on July 11 he would be backing Tom Tugendhat for leader.

He said though he is backing the person who is most serious about Levelling Up, given his role with the Northern Research Group, and has backed Tugendhat as he was the only leadership candidate to attend the recent NRG Conference.

After Tugendhat's elimination on July 18, appears to be backing Penny Mordaunt.

On July 28 confirmed he is backing Liz Truss as the next Tory leader in a video on Twitter.

Backing Truss.

Ben Wallace, Wyre and Preston North

An early favourite with the bookies, but has since ruled himself out of the running, focusing instead on his role as Defence Secretary and supporting Ukraine.

Backing Truss.

Katherine Fletcher, South Ribble

Yet to announce who she is backing.

Scott Benton, Blackpool South

Said on Twitter he wanted Home Secretary Priti Patel to run for leader.

He said: “Our next PM must listen to, and respond to, the needs of Blackpool South. From my experience Priti Patel is by far the best person to do that. From ending free movement to putting more police on the streets, she understands people’s concerns. That’s why I am urging her to stand.”

He has however also been showing support for Attorney General Suella Braverman on Twitter, so who he will back remains as yet unclear.

Braverman became latest MP dumped from the race, falling in the second ballot after only mustering 27 backers.

Now appears to have switched to backing Liz Truss, after starting to retweet in support of her during the Channel 4 leaders debate.

Backing Truss.

Paul Maynard, Blackpool North and Cleveleys

Backing Rishi Sunak. Had a major Twitter gaffe when he tweeted a message from Sunak’s campaign team alongside a slick infographic created for him.

It was swiftly deleted and replaced with the proper tweet in support, but not before Twitter screenshotted it and immortalised the clanger for time immemoriam.

Submitted a letter of no confidence in Johnson in January.

Backing Sunak.

David Morris, Morecambe and Lunesdale

Yet to publicly announce who he is backing. Rumoured to be a Jeremy Hunt supporter. Hunt was dumped from the race after the first ballot. Morris yet to reveal whose camp he has joined now.

Who would you like to see as the next leader of the Conservative Party and new Prime Minister? Or do you agree with Labour that there should be a snap General Election once the new leader is selected?

Let us know in the comments.