Could our very own MP Penny Mordaunt be in with a chance for PM?

David Cameron announced on Friday that he will be leaving Number 10 this October '“ and there is speculation that Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt could be a long shot to be the next prime minister.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jun 2016, 05:55 BST
Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt with Michael Gove and the Brexit battlebus in Portsmouth on WednesdayPortsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt with Michael Gove and the Brexit battlebus in Portsmouth on Wednesday
Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt with Michael Gove and the Brexit battlebus in Portsmouth on Wednesday

Strong contenders to take over the reins include former London mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson, the Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP, was a staunch Brexit supporter.

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Also in the running is Theresa May, the longest-serving home secretary in over a century, justice secretary Michael Gove, work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb and energy minister Andrea Leadsom.

But bookies have suggested that Ms Mordaunt, the armed forces minister, could be in with a chance and they are offering odds of 55-1.

It’s not the first time that Ms Mordaunt has been tipped for the top. British political journalist Andrew Gimson, writing on Conservative website conservativehome.com earlier this month, said: ‘Could Penny Mordaunt be the next leader of the Conservative Party? This question might be thought to invite ridicule. After all, Mordaunt has only been an MP since 2010.

‘But when I asked half a dozen Tory MPs whether she was conceivable as leader, only one of them said the idea was absurd, and he happens to be supporting another candidate.’

He added: ‘It is interesting that Mordaunt is at least considered a plausible runner.’

Ms Mordaunt was last night unavailable for comment.

Related topics:Penny MordauntBoris JohnsonDavid CameronMichael GoveLondonTheresa May