Conservative Party leadership race: Here's who is being backed by Fareham MP Suella Braverman and other MPs across Hampshire

Suella Braverman has revealed her preference for the next prime minister, which is once again being chosen through the Conservative Party leadership race. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

WITH Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt in the running to become next prime minister, MPs around the city have revealed who they are backing – and why – as the Conservative Party leadership race moves forward.

Publicly backing former chancellor Rishi Sunak has been Suella Braverman, MP for Fareham, Alan Mak, MP for Havant, and Flick Drummond, MP for the Meon Valley.

Meanwhile, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage is supporting Penny Mordaunt.

The MP said that Ms Mordaun was ‘a leader with experience, strength, and integrity to unite us and restore faith across the country’.

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But Suella Braverman, who ran for leader in the last race and resigned as home secretary under Liz Truss, said the party needed ‘unity’ that only Rishi Sunak could provide.

She said: ‘We need unity, stability and efficiency. Rishi is the only candidate that fits the bill and I am proud to support him.’

Meanwhile, Flick Drummond and Alan Mak are supporting Mr Sunak due to his perceived economic competence.

In a post online, Ms Drummond said: ‘We need someone who understands economics during this cost-of-living crisis.’

Also writing in a post online, Mr Mak, who was made exchequer secretary to the Treasury by former prime minister Boris Johnson, added: ‘Having worked with Rishi at the Treasury I know he has the experience to provide the leadership we need.’

The current leadership race requires candidates to secure the backing of 100 Tory MPs, with the contest being decided by the party’s membership if more than two candidates remain on Monday evening.