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11
Jul 2022
Harrogate district MPs yet to reveal who they want as Prime Minister
The three Conservative Harrogate district MPs are yet to publicly reveal who they are backing in the race to become the next Tory leader and Prime Minister.
Since Boris Johnson resigned last Thursday, 11 MPs have declared leadership ambitions.
They include former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, current Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Whoever is selected will bring in their own team, signalling a change of fortunes for many Conservative MPs.
Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith, a former chief whip to former Prime Minister Theresa May, was well regarded during his time as Northern Ireland Secretary from 2019 to 2020 and could be hoping for a return to a senior role.
Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams , who is currently a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, is regarded as one of Boris Johnson's loyalist allies. He stood outside Downing Street next to Carrie Johnson when the PM made his resignation speech.
Some of Mr Johnson’s allies have been critical of Richmond MP Rishi Sunak’s bid so it seems unlikely Mr Adams will support the current bookies' favourite.
According to a report in The Times on Saturday, Mr Adams has been telling friends he will get a peerage in Mr Johnson's final honours list.
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Harrogate and Knaresborough's Andrew Jones, a rail minister under Theresa May, has been openly critical of Mr Johnson in the last few months and voted against him in the confidence vote. But like Mr Smith and Mr Adams, he has yet to state who he supports.
The Stray Ferret asked all three MPs what qualities they are looking for in the next leader and if they have a preferred candidate but none has responded.
Mr Smith is currently 200/1 to become the next leader with most bookmakers, which drifted from 100/1 over the weekend.
Mr Adams is also 200/1. The bookies do not currently have a price for Mr Jones.
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