Rishi Sunak and other UK Conservatives announce bids to replace Johnson

The first candidates have entered the contest to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader, with more hopefuls expected to throw their hats into the ring over the weekend.

Last night, Rishi Sunak announced his bid on social media, promising to "restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country".

The former chancellor, who spectacularly resigned on Tuesday evening triggering an avalanche of government resignations, was quickly endorsed by a large number of Conservative MPs.

These included Commons leader Mark Spencer, who said Mr Sunak "is the leader that can unite the party", and former chairman of the Conservative Party Oliver Dowden, who described the former chancellor as "the best person to lead our country and unquestionably the best person to beat Labour".

Former cabinet minister Liam Fox said Mr Sunak is the only candidate who has the "experience, integrity and vision" to lead the country through the economic challenges it is currently facing.

Announcing his intention to join the race, Mr Sunak said the country faces "huge challenges".

In a video uploaded alongside a tweet pitching himself as the next head of the party, Mr Sunak said: "I want to lead this country in the right direction."

He also stressed his experience during the pandemic as an example of why he is fit for the job.

"I ran the toughest department in government during the toughest times when we faced the nightmare of COVID," he continued. 

"My values are non-negotiable: patriotism, fairness, hard work.

"We've had enough of division.

"Politics at its best is a unifying endeavour and I have spent my career bringing people together. Because that is the only way to succeed."

On Thursday evening, Tom Tugendhat became the first MP to say he would run to replace Mr Johnson in a Tory leadership contest.

Mr Tugendhat, chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said "it's time for renewal".

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Tugendhat said: "I have served before - in the military, and now in parliament. Now I hope to answer the call once again as prime minister."

Confirming her intention to run in The Times, former equalities minister Kemi Badenoch laid out her plan to radically cut the size of the state and preside over a "limited government focused on essentials".

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also understood to be weighing up a leadership bid - as is former health secretary Sajid Javid.

Dominic Raab, who stood in as acting prime minister when Boris Johnson was struck down with COVID in the spring of 2020, will not run. 

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, one of the favourites to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has also announced he had decided not to run in the leadership contest.