As the Conservative leadership contest hots up to replace Boris Johnson, some of Cumbria’s Tory MPs have revealed who they are backing to win.
The new Prime Minister will be announced on September 12 and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak are travelling the country meeting the Conservative Party members who will decide on the country’s next leader.
So who are Cumbrian MPs backing in the race to be the next Prime Minister?
Carlisle MP John Stevenson has backed Rishi Sunak.
He believes the former chancellor has got the experience and ability to be a good Prime Minister and run the Government efficiently and effectively. I think his economic policies are realistic and achievable.
Mr Stevenson, who originally backed Tom Tugendhat, said that Mr Sunak was “very aware of the challenges” that the country faced economically.
Workington MP Mark Jenkinson has supported Liz Truss as he believes she is the candidate who will “keep the promises we made to voters in Workington in 2019, one that has been focussed on delivery of that manifesto – not on planning their leadership campaign, or on instigating the opportunity.”
Trudy Harrison, Copeland MP has reportedly joined nine other MPs in recently backing Liz Truss.
Mrs Harrison previously backed Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport having served in his department but since Mr Shapps bowed-out of the contest, she then supported Penny Mordaunt.
Ms Truss is currently the bookies’ favourite to win the contest when Conservative Party members vote on who their next leader should be.
Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson has not revealed who he will be backing out of the final two after his original choice was eliminated from the running.
Dr Hudson’s original choice was Tom Tugendhat who was eliminated from the running in the early stages.
Recently, Dr Hudson said: “I believed he had the background, international experience and integrity to lead us, understanding both rural and urban issues in a way to unite us all.
“Moving forward, this leadership election has made clear that we have a broad range of talent across the Conservative Parliamentary Party. The next Prime Minister, whoever she or he might be, will have my full support.”
Simon Fell, Barrow and Furness MP, has been contacted for comment.
