Meon Valley MP Flick Drummon declares her support for Rishi Sunak in Conservative Party leadership race to decide next prime minister

MP Flick Drummond had previously been among the MPs who supported Mr Sunak, the former chancellor, during the last Conservative Party leadership race during the summer.

In a post online, the MP said: ‘As you know, I supported Rishi over the summer leadership election, including hosting two events for him to meet members. I am still supporting him as we need someone who understands economics during this cost-of-living crisis.

‘I would like to see Rishi and Jeremy Hunt working in tandem to sort out our economy and give reassurance to both the markets and to each of us. Like many others, I have a large mortgage and the interest rate rise is eye-watering. I completely understand what constituents are feeling.’

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.