The leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, has become the first person to announce her candidacy for the Conservative party leadership – her second such bid this year.
Mordaunt, a former defence secretary, was ousted from the year’s first Tory leadership contest in the fifth round, losing out to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.
Announcing her bid, Mordaunt tweeted: “I’ve been encouraged by support from colleagues who want a fresh start, a united party and leadership in the national interest.
“I’m running to be the leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister – to unite our country, deliver our pledges and win the next GE.”
More details soon …