WORCESTER and Malvern’s MPs have thrown their weight behind candidates as Conservative MPs prepare to start voting for the party’s new leader.
Robin Walker has once again thrown his weight behind former Health Secretary and neighbouring Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid while Harriett Baldwin has backed Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt.
Tory MPs are set to start voting for their new leader and the country’s new Prime Minister on Wednesday (July 13) with candidates needing the backing of 20 MPs to be considered.
Those who are successful will need the support of at least 30 MPs at the end of the first ballot to advance with Conservative Party 1922 chairman Sir Graham Brady revealing he hopes the final two candidates will be revealed by the time Parliament rises for the summer on July 21.
The pair will face questions and a vote from Conservative Party members during the summer with the winner being declared on Monday, September 5.
Speaking before voting opened, Mr Walker said: “I was proud to nominate Sajid three years ago and he has shown real leadership since.
“We need someone of integrity and experience to get on with the job and focus on delivery from day one.
Worcester’s MP was among more than 50 members of the Government to resign last week which led to Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing his intention to stand down.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Walker said recent events had made it clear the party had become distracted from its core missions by a ‘relentless focus on questions over leadership’.
Mrs Baldwin confirmed she had submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister before he announced his departure and said it had become ‘impossible to defend the indefensible when not given a straight answer’.
The West Worcestershire MP has backed Penny Mordaunt as leader despite being a prominent supporter of Jeremy Hunt, who is also in contention, in 2019.
“Lots of talented colleagues are standing to be Conservative leader. I’m endorsing the UK’s first and only female Defence Secretary, Navy Reservist and fabulous performer at the despatch box, Penny Mordaunt,” she said.
“As a Navy Reservist she has always put her country first. I endorse her leadership and her vision for a Greater Britain.”
