AN East Lancashire Tory MP has declared who he is backing for the Conservative leadership and hopes will be the next Prime Minister.
Burnley backbencher Antony Higginbotham has announced his support for Trade Minister and former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt.
The 2019 intake MP said today: "We have a brilliant field of candidates in the leadership election.
"And whoever becomes our new PM will receive my support.
"But having personally spoken to each of the candidates I'm supporting Penny Mordaunt MP.
"She is not only a staunch Brexiteer who has spent the last year negotiating trade deals with states across the USA, but she is also the one who ticks every one of our priorities here in Burnley and Padiham.
MORE: Who each Lancs Tory MP is backing in the leadership race
"It is for this reason that I am backing her campaign to become our next Prime Minister."
This puts him at odds with Rossendale and Darwen Tory MP Jake Berry who is backing backbencher and former soldier Tom Tugendhat for the party's top job.
Following Mr Tugendhat's elimination Mr Berry said: "I will be speaking to all the leadership candidates and will back whoever will deliver the best outcomes for my constituents in Rossendale & Darwen."
I will be speaking to all the leadership candidates and will back whoever will deliver the best outcomes for my constituents in Rossendale & Darwen.’
I will be speaking to all the leadership candidates and will back whoever will deliver the best outcomes for my constituents in Rossendale & Darwen.’
Ribble Valley Conservative MP Nigel Evans is not saying who he supports as he is deputy speaker of the House of Commons.
Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson is also not revealing his preference for the post as his position as Conservative Party co-chair involves overseeing the contest.
Hyndburn Conservative MP Sara Britcliffe has yet to say who she is supporting while she consults her constituents and local party members.
In an article for a national newspaper co-written with Keighley MP Robbie Moore, Mr Higginbotham said: "We should all have a few tests for any candidate to meet.
"The first is that they are committed to levelling up right across the UK.
"Second is that we back our businesses abroad.
"Third is that they have a plan for the economy.
"And finally, we need a leader who knows what it takes to hold back against a Labour tide.
"Penny Mordaunt is the candidate who meets those tests."
Miss Britcliffe has posted on Facebook: "I'm sure people are aware that the number of candidates to be your next Prime Minister has been whittled down to a final five.
"Given we are now at the business end of this process, and one of these five will have the job of been your Prime Minister, I want to know who people in Hyndburn and Haslingden favour."
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