AS the Conservative leadership race heats up, Barrow’s MP has opened up on why he has thrown his support behind one of the candidates.

The six challengers went up against each other for the second time in the ballot on Thursday, with candidate Suella Braverman eliminated after receiving the least amount of votes.

She joins Jeremy Hunt and Nadhim Zahawi, who were eliminated on Wednesday.
The eventual winner of the leadership election will replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and the Furness MP has announced who he will be backing.

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, has backed Tom Tugendhat to become the next leader of the country. He said he wants to vote for someone that can rebuild the trust of the public after a poll of his constituents produced ‘no consensus’.

He said: “I’ve spent the last few days meeting each of the candidates one-to-one to learn more about them and their vision for the country.

“Some of those candidates I count as friends, while others I didn’t know that well. I honestly could have gone one of four ways in this first round, and it bodes well that there is such a strong pack of candidates.

“I asked my constituents who they would pick if they were in my shoes. It’s fair to say that there was no consensus on a candidate, but again and again people said they wanted a fresh start.

“I chose to back Tom Tugendhat because he is just that - someone who has served their country with honour, and believes deeply in public service. He firmly supports the renewal of the north and has a good mind. I believe he would be an excellent Prime Minister.”

Tugendhat will be feeling the pressure after gathering the support of just 32 MPs in the latest vote, the lowest of any of the remaining candidates, which leaves him vulnerable when MPs vote again on Monday.