With many of the favorites yet to be declared, this race is still wide open – reports Callum Watkinson Another name has been added to the Tory leadership bid as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps launched his campaign, saying he would end “regular government from an often distracted centre”. In the race to become the new prime minister, the Tories are rushing to take sides with five names now confirmed in the running. On Friday, Rishi Sunak said he has set his sights on Downing Street. Former Equality Minister Kemi Bandenoch has now thrown her hat into the ring, with a plan for a smaller state and a government “focused on the basics”. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, widely seen as the front-runner, ruled himself out of the running on Saturday afternoon to “focus [his] current job’ – making him one of the most valuable supporters in the party for anyone who has his support. Former minister Steve Baker, meanwhile, backed the campaign of Attorney-General Suella Braverman, who announced her intention on ITV’s Peston show. While Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee, has already said he will put his name forward. Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know Announcing his bid to the Times, Mr Shapps said his aim was to tackle the cost of living crisis and rebuild the economy. Asked about the issue of loyalty, MP Welwyn Hatfield told the paper: “I have not spent the last turbulent years plotting or informing against the Prime Minister. I have not mobilized a leadership campaign behind his back. I tell you this: for all his the flaws – and who doesn’t?- I like Boris Johnson I have never, not for a moment, doubted his love for this country. Who has announced their offers? Former chancellor Mr Sunak released a glossy video presentation on Friday night in which he recounted his family history, saying: “Our country is facing huge challenges, the most serious for a generation. “And the decisions we make today will determine whether the next generation of Britons will also have a chance at a better future.” Among those publicly backing Mr Sunack are Commons leader Mark Spencer, former Tory co-leader Oliver Dowden, former leader Mark Harper, former ministers Liam Fox and Andrew Marrison and MPs Sir Bob Neill and Paul Maynard . Those supporting Mr. Sunak are sharing a link to his campaign website, www.ready4rishi.com. It appears that a website with a slightly different name, www.readyforrishi.com, which redirects to the official campaign page, was created in December 2021. Mr. Sunak’s team said domains are being bought all the time, adding that many of them have been transferred to them. The Times reported that Ms Badenoch launched her campaign on a promise to radically reduce the size and influence of the state. He will preside over a “limited government focused on the basics,” the paper said. The absence of a clear front-runner in the leadership race has tempted a number of less fanatical contenders to step forward, with backbencher John Baron saying he would “take a sweep” at the weekend. Former Equality Minister Kemi Badenoch Credit: British Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee, has already said he will put his name forward. On Saturday, he tweeted: “The reason I stand is simple. Trust in our politics and our party is collapsing. We need a clean start.” While Attorney General Suella Braverman’s campaign announced her intention to join ITV’s Peston show. More are expected in the coming days, including Mr Sunak’s successor as chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, and Ms Truss. Although Mr Zahawi has yet to make a bid, Tory peer and minister Lord Goldsmith said on Friday night that he “stands out from most rivals”. Who else can announce their leadership bids? Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is also widely expected to be in the running for leader. Tory MPs Chloe Smith and Julian Knight both voiced their support for the senior cabinet minister on Friday, although she has yet to launch a bid. His move comes as allies of former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, who was second to Boris Johnson in 2019, said he was “almost certain” to stand again this time. What happens next? Following the 1922 executive committee elections on Monday, the new body will draw up a timetable for leadership elections. After his tough resignation speech on Thursday, many MPs are anxious to see Mr Johnson out of No 10 as quickly as possible, fearing a summer of “chaos” if he stays. But Downing Street insisted it would not step aside to allow Mr Raab to take over as caretaker prime minister. Labor has confirmed it will table a Commons vote of no confidence in the government if Johnson refuses to go voluntarily. However, to succeed, it would require Tory MPs to vote with them – or at least abstain in large numbers – which would seem unlikely given that it could lead to a general election they are likely to lose.
