Keswick’s MP Trudy Harrison is backing Penny Mordaunt in her bid to become the next Prime Minister.
Mrs Harrison launched an online survey for her constituents to help her decide who should be the next leader of the Conservative Party. She had initially backed Grant Shapps, but he stood down from the race.
Mrs Harrison said: “From considering the results of my poll and viewing the comments on social media, it’s clear that Penny and Kemi Badenoch are the two front runners in Copeland’s eyes. Thank you to everyone who has fed back to me in such large numbers.
“While Kemi has many merits and I would gladly serve under her premiership, I have chosen to support Penny.
“I have worked under Penny as her Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and she has considerable experience across Government and out of Parliament – and her defence experience is invaluable at present.
“I am proud to support #PM4PM, and await the declaration of the results of the first round of voting at 5pm.”
When she launched her survey, Mrs Harrison said: “Copeland – who do you want me to vote for in the first round of voting? Please let me know. I intend to keep my poll open until the end of the process, and will keep a close eye on the results as I consider where to place my votes.”
People can fill out Mrs Harrison’s survey here.
Ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak won the first round of voting by MPs with 88 votes, followed by Ms Mordaunt with 67 and current Foreign Secretary Liz Truss with 50 votes.
Current Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and former health secretary Jeremy Hunt were eliminated.
The other three candidates got the following votes:
- Kemi Badenoch – 40
- Suella Braverman – 32
- Tom Tugendhat – 37
Those still in the contest face another round of voting on Thursday.
