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Penny Mordaunt moves first in race to replace Liz Truss Penny Mordaunt moves first in race to replace Liz Truss
(32 minutes later)
Penny Mordaunt ran in the contest to replace Boris Johnson over the summerPenny Mordaunt ran in the contest to replace Boris Johnson over the summer
Penny Mordaunt has become the first Conservative MP to say they will run to replace Liz Truss as prime minister.Penny Mordaunt has become the first Conservative MP to say they will run to replace Liz Truss as prime minister.
The Commons leader said she was standing to "unite our country" and win the next general election.The Commons leader said she was standing to "unite our country" and win the next general election.
Rishi Sunak is yet to confirm he is standing, but he has already amassed 82 of the 100 endorsements from MPs he would need to take part.Rishi Sunak is yet to confirm he is standing, but he has already amassed 82 of the 100 endorsements from MPs he would need to take part.
Boris Johnson has not ruled out a comeback, months after being forced out of No 10 after a Tory revolt.Boris Johnson has not ruled out a comeback, months after being forced out of No 10 after a Tory revolt.
The former prime minister - who is currently out of the country - has 41 MPs backing him. Ms Mordaunt currently trails both Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak, with only 19 public supporters. The former prime minister - who is currently out of the country - has 41 MPs backing him. Ms Mordaunt currently trails both Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak, with only 21 public supporters.
International trade minister James Duddridge, a former parliamentary aide to Mr Johnson, has told the BBC: "Boris is coming, and he has the momentum and support. International trade minister James Duddridge, a former parliamentary aide to Mr Johnson, has told the BBC: "Boris is coming, and he has the momentum and support. He is coming home and is up for it.
"He is the only election winner we have that has a proven track record in London, on Brexit, and in gaining the mandate we have now.""He is the only election winner we have that has a proven track record in London, on Brexit, and in gaining the mandate we have now."
Follow live: Mordaunt enters leadership raceFollow live: Mordaunt enters leadership race
Penny Mordaunt: Brexiteer popular with grassrootsPenny Mordaunt: Brexiteer popular with grassroots
Ms Mordaunt is currently Commons leader and was briefly defence secretary under Theresa May.Ms Mordaunt is currently Commons leader and was briefly defence secretary under Theresa May.
The 49-year-old Portsmouth North MP backed Brexit and has worked hard to build up her profile with party activists, but did not get enough support from MPs to reach the members' ballot last time.The 49-year-old Portsmouth North MP backed Brexit and has worked hard to build up her profile with party activists, but did not get enough support from MPs to reach the members' ballot last time.
Tory party bosses have decided contenders will need 100 nominations from fellow Conservative MPs, a much higher threshold than normal, meaning no more than three MPs will be able to stand.Tory party bosses have decided contenders will need 100 nominations from fellow Conservative MPs, a much higher threshold than normal, meaning no more than three MPs will be able to stand.
Penny Mordaunt may be hoping to benefit from first mover advantage by getting out in front and getting a bandwagon rolling. Earlier this week, the leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt told MPs the prime minister was not "under her desk" hiding when she stood in for Ms Truss at the despatch box.
In the final ballot of MPs in last summer's contest, she got 105 votes. It sounded more mischievous than helpful and Ms Mordaunt's own ambition to sit behind the No 10 desk has never been in doubt.
So moving early may be a way of trying to lock in some of those before others join the race. She is hoping for early momentum by breaking cover first. Rishi Sunak currently has the most publicly declared support among Tory MPs and the former chancellor is expected to announce he's running soon.
She's clearly trying to pitch herself as the person to bring unity to the Conservative Party. They will both pitch themselves as unifying candidates.
There is serious disquiet among some MPs about a possible return by Boris Johnson, and opposition from others to Rishi Sunak too. With the threshold for nominations set so high, a maximum of three candidates can reach the first ballot on Monday.
But Ms Mordaunt's weakness compared to both may be her relative lack of experience in senior jobs in government. The big question heading into the weekend is whether Boris Johnson attempts to boomerang back into Downing Street.
After Liz Truss, and in the middle of a crisis, are Conservative MPs in the mood to go for another untested leader? The former prime minister has already got a couple of Cabinet endorsements but other Tory MPs are horrified at the idea of Mr Johnson making a comeback.
It's a prospect that splits Conservative MPs between delight and despair. The chance of a backroom deal and simple coronation seems to be receding as the rival campaigns fire up.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled himself out of the contest, adding he is "leaning towards" backing Boris Johnson.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled himself out of the contest, adding he is "leaning towards" backing Boris Johnson.
He told reporters Mr Johnson had a "mandate" from the 2019 general election and "could win the next election".He told reporters Mr Johnson had a "mandate" from the 2019 general election and "could win the next election".
Meanwhile Mr Sunak has won a high-level endorsement of his own, with former chancellor and home secretary Sajid Javid backing his leadership tilt.Meanwhile Mr Sunak has won a high-level endorsement of his own, with former chancellor and home secretary Sajid Javid backing his leadership tilt.
If Mr Johnson did make a comeback it would be unprecedented in modern British political history, coming three months after he was forced out by his own MPs following a string of scandals.If Mr Johnson did make a comeback it would be unprecedented in modern British political history, coming three months after he was forced out by his own MPs following a string of scandals.
Tory MP Jesse Norman, one of scores of ministers to quit his government over the summer, said bringing him back would be an "absolutely catastrophic decision".Tory MP Jesse Norman, one of scores of ministers to quit his government over the summer, said bringing him back would be an "absolutely catastrophic decision".
And former Conservative leader Lord Hague told Times Radio it "would be going round in circles" and "could become a death spiral" for the party.And former Conservative leader Lord Hague told Times Radio it "would be going round in circles" and "could become a death spiral" for the party.
"I think it's possibly the worst idea I've heard of in the 46 years I've been a member of the Conservative Party," he said."I think it's possibly the worst idea I've heard of in the 46 years I've been a member of the Conservative Party," he said.
Polling suggests he remains popular with Tory members, but another tilt at the leadership could prove divisive among Tory MPs, some of whom have said they would quit politics if he came back.Polling suggests he remains popular with Tory members, but another tilt at the leadership could prove divisive among Tory MPs, some of whom have said they would quit politics if he came back.
'Indicative' MP ballot'Indicative' MP ballot
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out of the race, along with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former cabinet minister Michael Gove.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out of the race, along with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and former cabinet minister Michael Gove.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch are thought to be considering bids.Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch are thought to be considering bids.
Contenders have until 2pm on Monday to find 100 backers. If three reach the threshold, Conservative MPs will knock one out in a ballot on the same day.Contenders have until 2pm on Monday to find 100 backers. If three reach the threshold, Conservative MPs will knock one out in a ballot on the same day.
MPs will hold an "indicative" ballot of the final two, with the winner then decided in an online vote of party members, to finish next Friday.MPs will hold an "indicative" ballot of the final two, with the winner then decided in an online vote of party members, to finish next Friday.