Battle for Britain's next Prime Minister begins as Penny Mordaunt joins leadership race

9 July 2022, 17:17 | Updated: 20 October 2022, 13:51

Trade minister Penny Mordaunt has joined the race for the Tory leadership, becoming the ninth candidate to throw her hat in the ring.

Ms Mordaunt launched her campaign on Sunday and will go up against the likes of Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid, who both promised to cut tax as they launched their separate bids to become the next Prime Minister.

The MP for Portsmouth North said "our leadership has to change" as she launched her 'pm4pm' campaign on Twitter.

"It needs to become a little less about the leader and a lot more about the ship," she wrote.

On Sunday, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt told LBC's Swarbrick on Sunday he supports a Rwanda-style migrant plan and criticised "unfunded tax cuts" promised by leadership rivals.

He said if he is chosen as prime minister he will not scrap the controversial HS2 and will continue with making changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Jeremy Hunt answers Tom Swarbrick's quickfire questions

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps have also revealed plans to run in the leadership contest.

The race to replace Boris Johnson is already proving to be brutal with each candidate receiving criticism from rivals.

Liz Truss has been branded a "Remainer in Brexiteer's clothing" whilst fears have been raised about another "Theresa May experience" if Jeremy Hunt were to secure the position.

Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor, is facing backlash for raising taxes and questions have been raised about how out-of-touch the the billionaire is, with the UK experiencing a cost-of-living crisis.

Nadhim Zahawi has received criticism over his support for Boris Johnson and refusing to resign amid the Chris Pincher scandal.

Read more: From Covid to Pincher: David Lammy's epic monologue on Boris' demise

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The public mud-slinging match has also involved Sajid Javid who has been slated over his role as Health Secretary through Covid and his alleged stance on "opposing lockdowns".

In their bids, Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt have both promised to cancel Rishi Sunak's planned rise in corporation tax, and instead cut the 25% rate to 15%.

They give separate interviews to the Telegraph, with Mr Javid also pledging to scrap the national insurance rise that was brought in when he was health secretary to help pay for the NHS and social care.

He says: "I'm not sure I would have done it if I had been chancellor, but I was focused on my job and I'm not trying to do other people's jobs for them."

In their pledges, Grant Shapps and Nadhim Zahawi both promised to increase defence spending whilst Liz Truss will offer the party "classic Conservative principles".

The Transport Secretary launched his leadership bid by telling the Sunday Times he was ruling out a general election, and saying he would produce an emergency budget, instructing his chancellor to cut personal tax for the most vulnerable and giving state support to firms with high levels of energy consumption.

He said: "I have not spent the last few turbulent years plotting or briefing against the Prime Minister.

"I have not been mobilising a leadership campaign behind his back. I tell you this: for all his flaws - and who is not flawed? - I like Boris Johnson.

"I have never, for a moment, doubted his love of this country."

Read more: Ben Wallace rules himself out of Tory contest as Javid 'urged to step aside for Rishi'

Political Commentator Adam Boulton on the Tory leadership race

Mr Shapps added: "It is easy to criticise Boris after keeping one's head down for years while being happy to benefit from his patronage. I am glad that I did not do that.

"Even as the skies darkened over his premiership, often because of errors committed by him, I hoped he could pull it back. Because in losing him, we would lose a man who makes a unique connection with people."

Whilst the newly appointed Chancellor made a pledge to lower taxes for individuals, families and business, boost defence spending, and continue with education reforms if he became PM.

Setting out his pitch, Mr Zahawi wrote: ""My aim is a simple one: to provide the opportunities that were afforded to my generation, to all Britons, whoever you are and wherever you come from.

"To steady the ship and to stabilise the economy.

"Thanks to Brexit, we are now a free nation. Let's not just talk about the opportunities that follow, let's take them."

Adding: "Overseeing the highest tax burden since 1949 is not the Conservative way.

"We cannot tax our way into prosperity. We know it is not Labour or the Lib Dems who offer the country solutions.

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"The only solution can be empowering the British people, regardless of where they live or where they come from; what matters is where we are going."

Former chancellor Rishi Sunak, who launched his leadership bid on Friday, has enjoyed early support from senior Tories such as Oliver Dowden, Liam Fox and Mark Harper.

Attorney General Suella Braverman, chairman of the foreign affairs committee Tom Tugendhat and former equalities minister Kemi Badenoch have also put their names forward for PM.

Read more: Rishi Sunak 'urges Sajid Javid to step aside' as Tory hopefuls launch bid to replace Boris

It comes after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace ruled himself out of the contest to become the new Conservative leader and Prime Minister, saying his focus is on his current job and "keeping this great country safe".

Mr Wallace wrote on Twitter: "After careful consideration and discussing with colleagues and family, I have taken the decision not to enter the contest for leadership of the Conservative Party.

"I am very grateful to all my parliamentary colleagues and wider members who have pledged support.

"It has not been an easy choice to make, but my focus is on my current job and keeping this great country safe. I wish the very best of luck to all candidates and hope we swiftly return to focusing on the issues that we are all elected to address."

The Tories are reportedly eyeing up a September deadline for the selection of a new Prime Minister amid fears the government is 'paralysed' by the current situation.

Read more: 'Hounds of hell unleashed' as 'bloodbath' Tory leadership race begins

Mr Johnson has said he will remain in his post until a successor is elected, but also pledged not to make any major policy changes.

It has led to fears the government will be in a 'state of paralysis' over the coming months.

The Telegraph reports the 1922 Committee executive are drawing up plans to 'whittle down' the number of Tory candidates, therefore speeding up the process of selection with the aim of having a new Prime Minister in office by September 5.