Shropshire MPs split over Tory leadership contest

Five candidates have now declared their intention to run to replace David Cameron, although in a shock twist yesterday morning the front runner Boris Johnson announced he would not be standing.

Mr Johnson's decision came after his fellow Brexit campaigner Michael Gove surprised observers by putting himself forward for the post.

In his statement announcing his leadership bid, Mr Gove said he did not believe Mr Johnson could provide the leadership needed.

He said: "I wanted to help build a team behind Boris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future. But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead."

Home Secretary Theresa May was today installed as favourite to become next Tory leader. She is joined in the fight by Stephen Crabb, Andrea Leadsom and Liam Fox. Senior Tories Jeremy Hunt and Nicky Morgan decided not to stand, despite touting for support earlier in the week.

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, has pledged his support for Mr Gove, while Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, and Lucy Allan, MP for Telford, have both backed Theresa May.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne today announced he would be supporting Stephen Crabb in the leadership election.

And this afternoon North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson gave his backing to Andrea Leadsom.

The former cabinet minister said Mrs Leadsom, who had been a prominent campaigner to leave the European Union, was best equipped to meet the challenges ahead.

He said Mrs Leadsom, who is Economic Secretary to the Treasury, ran a "clean and honest" campaign in the run-up to the referendum, and he business in background meant she understood the opportunities presented by leaving the EU.

"Andrea ran the cleanest, clearest campaign for the future of our country based on the arguments," said Mr Paterson.

"She has consistently acted with honesty and integrity. She spoke throughout the campaign with authority, as a mother who wanted the best chance for her children and their children to thrive in a sovereign nation in control of our borders, our laws and our finances."

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said he is undecided over who to support, but that Mr Johnson should have been a candidate to prevent claims of an "establishment stitch-up".

Mr Pritchard said: "At this time of political change for our country we need a leader of the party and a Prime Minister who is dependable, reliable, and solid – and someone who can unite the country and party while battling for the best of Britain, as well as setting out a vision for the whole country. That is why I am supporting Theresa May."

He added that Mrs May "is known as a tough, but listening, negotiator in Brussels, which is what the country needs."

Ms Allan said: "I will be supporting Theresa May in the leadership contest. In my opinion she is the candidate most able to offer the stability and strong leadership that the UK needs. As someone who has been at the heart of Government for the past six years, and in one of the toughest roles, Theresa has demonstrated the attributes needed to be Prime Minister.

"Negotiating our exit from the EU will be the biggest task facing the next Prime Minister and Theresa is the candidate that I feel will be able to secure the best deal possible for the UK.

"In addition to this, her pledge to create a 'Brexit' department with a cabinet level minister demonstrates her commitment to achieving this."

Mr Kawczynski said his backing for Mr Gove was based on three factors.

He said: "We need someone who can negotiate effectively with our European friends and allies an equitable, mutually respectful and mutually advantageous relationship based on the best possible trading parameters, while ensuring the UK takes back control of our immigration policy.

"We need an individual with the experienceof running a major Government department working effectively with a parliamentary party, civil servants and outside organisation. Somebody who can attempt to heal the wounds this polarising argument has thrown up

"We need somebody who understands Scotland and the Scottish people and who will be effective in convincing Scotland to vote to remain in the eventually of a possible further independence referendum instigated by the SNP."

Mr Kawczynski added that Mrs Leadsom would make an excellent prime minister one day, but said she needed more experience before she took on that role.

He said Mr Gove had done an excellent job during the referendum campaign, and was a man of great integrity.

Mr Davies said the current choice of candidates is akin to choosing from a box of chocolates.

He said: "It is impossible at this stage to know who I am going to back. It is like opening a box of Quality Street, you do not know what to pick out such is the calibre of the candidates. What makes it more difficult is the policies the candidates are offering are the same. There is no philosophical difference.

"The one thing I wanted all along is that Boris Johnson should have been on the list. The last thing we wanted it to look like is some establishment stitch-up where the perceived popular choice is kept off the ballot. I am not saying I would have voted for him but I feel from the party membership position that choice should have been there."