Nottinghamshire's Conservative MPs have spoken out about who they are supporting to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the leadership race. Live debates have been taking place as the remaining candidates battle it out to become the leader of the Conservative Party following Mr Johnson's resignation amid controversies and a fracturing Government.
There are now just five candidates remaining in the running for Conservative Party leader. These are Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat.
MPs will engage in voting rounds until just two remain and the next leader, and PM, will be known at the beginning of September. Currently Mr Sunak has 101 votes, Ms Mordaunt 83, Ms Truss 64, Ms Badenoch 49 and Mr Tugendhat 32.
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The final TV debate has since been cancelled however due to worries they have been portraying a heavily divided Tory Party at a time when the country has been calling for calm. It was cancelled as Mr Sunak and Mrs Truss said they would not be taking part.
But who has your MP been voting for? Find out below.
Ben Bradley, Mansfield
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Mansfield MP Ben Bradley is backing Olukemi (Kemi) Badenoch. She has represented Saffron Walden since 2017 and has only held junior minister positions in the past, but this hasn't stopped her bid for leadership.
Ms Badenoch grew up in South London, her parents of Nigerian origin, and worked in McDonald's while she studied at college. She started out in the world of tech and now supports women in landing jobs in the sector.
The Brexiteer's stance against 'woke' culture and determination to keep Britain confident in its own history and identity has proven popular among more right-leaning Tories, and her recent condemnation of the Government's net-zero policy due to its adverse impact on poorer communities, as well as a focus on tackling the rising costs of living, has landed her more points among the Tories in struggling constituencies across the country.
One of those supporters is Mr Bradley who describes her as "refreshingly honest". He said: "As ever, Kemi Badenoch clear and honest on the economy. No false promises, no 'my tax cuts are bigger than yours'.
"Just the truth, about the difficult choices that must be made. Refreshingly honest." She is fourth in the leadership race with 49 points.
Darren Henry, Broxtowe
Broxtowe's Darren Henry is backing foreign secretary and South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss. She had been promoted to cabinet level by former Prime Minister David Cameron and had backed the UK remaining in the European Union, a position which soon changed upon the referendum result.
She was born in Leeds to "left-leaning" parents, standing with the Liberal Democrats while studying in Oxford, before, her website states, "breaking the mould" and joining the Conservative Party. Over time she has moved over to the right of the Tory Party, prompting her own father to refuse to campaign for her when she ran in 2010.
Her leadership race tactics have focussed on the economy and opposing former chancellor Rishi Sunak's high taxation policies, having served as chief secretary to the treasury in the past. Speaking of backing Mrs Truss, Mr Henry says: "I have known Liz Truss since serving at RAF Marham, where she left a great impression on me, with the dedication to those she serves. She has a clear vision for the economy and a track record of delivering Conservative policies." She is third with 64 points.
Brendan Clarke-Smith, Bassetlaw
Similarly Mr Clarke-Smith, a former teacher who grew up on a council estate in Clifton, Nottingham, is backing Mrs Truss. Her low tax policy promise and plans to "put money in the pockets of working people" has appealed to Mr Clarke-Smith.
He said: "We need to see substance, not just style and Liz Truss has a clear plan for growing our economy and taking this country forwards. Her political journey is the journey many of my constituents have been on and she understands what they and the rest of the country need.
"Whatever your preference, one thing was absolutely clear about the Conservatives candidates during tonight’s ITV debate. All five would make a better Prime Minister than Keir Starmer. Well worth remembering that!"
Mark Spencer, Sherwood
Former diary farmer Mark Spencer has backed former chancellor Rishi Sunak since the beginning. The former chief whip in Mr Johnson's Government is supporting Richmond MP Mr Sunak as he proves to be the most popular to win the race to the top.
Mr Sunak, who resigned recently amid turmoil in Government, has been busy promoting his upbringing, emphasising his father was a family GP and his mother a chemist. Here he worked until co-founding an investment firm and building businesses, and it is this wealth and his high tax policies that have been on the agenda for many of his competitors.
He lives with his fashion designer wife Akshata Murthy, who is the daughter to India's sixth richest man. Mr Spencer's rise from farming into the world of politics is a journey not too dissimilar from Mr Sunak's.
Speaking out in support the Sherwood MP said: "Rishi Sunak you have to have the experience at the highest levels of Government to walk into being PM. Rishi has the skills, drive, answers to the big challenges and experience to deliver for the country."
He added: "Rishi is the leader who can unite the party, bring the whole country together and win us that fifth general election victory. In serious times we need a person with a proven track record." Mr Sunak is winning the leadership race so far with 101 points.
Tom Randall, Gedling
Mr Randall, like Mr Bradley, is backing Ms Badenoch.
Robert Jenrick, Newark
Mr Jenrick, who was removed as secretary of state for housing, communities and local government back in 2021, is supporting Rishi Sunak. It was his experience among cabinet ranks that has prompted this support.
He said: "I saw up close in cabinet the leadership which Rishi Sunak demonstrated during the pandemic. He is the only candidate for Prime Minister who can provide the grip required to get us through this difficult period and seize the incredible opportunities ahead of us."
Lee Anderson, Ashfield
Mr Anderson has been vocal in his support for Ms Badenoch, similar in that to Mr Bradley. He recently said he agreed with her comments on carbon neutrality, saying he believes in cutting emissions but "not bankrupting the country to achieve this".
And her prominent fight in the "culture war" has also solidified Mr Anderson's support, a man who has many times been vocal against what he has been terming as "woke nonsense", demonstrated recently in his boycotting of the England team whose players took the knee in Euro 2020.
He said she is the "candidate the left fear the most" and added: "She is fearless, pro Brexit, tough on immigration, defends our culture, calls out the politicians who play the 'race card'. She destroys Labour at the dispatch box.
"I am on her campaign team and have really been working hard behind the scenes to encourage her to stand."
Ruth Edwards, Rushcliffe
Ruth Edwards, who had the difficult task of succeeding Ken Clarke in 2019, has spoken out in favour of Rishi Sunak. In an opinion piece for The Times she wrote, alongside fellow MPs Fay Jones and Laura Trott, he would "champion women, not erase us".
The trio said: "The last six months have been difficult. For us, three female MPs elected at the 2019 general election, watching the turmoil unfold has been distressing. "So much has been achieved by this government, but in recent months it has been drowned out by the growing loss of trust in the prime minister. As a party, and as a country, we need a leader who can restore this trust.
"We believe that leader should be Rishi Sunak. He is a decent man who has proved he can do the right thing under immense pressure. From saving millions of jobs through the furlough scheme to helping families with the rising cost of living, he has stepped up when the country needs him."
Mrs Edwards, who lives in Rushcliffe's Hickling village with three alpacas called Wilbur, Vera and Florence, added: "I'm supporting Rishi because he has a track record of delivering for our country during covid, he has the experience to take us forward. He's also a kind and personable family man. He's straightforward and honest, refusing to make unfunded promises that will damage our economy because they're politically convenient."
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