Tory leadership frenzy begins as MPs start campaigning to succeed Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson's potential successors at the helm of the Conservative Party and the country are quietly launching their leadership campaigns, after the Prime Minister announced his resignation on Thursday.

No clear favorites stand out. is cleared in the frantic first hours after the Prime Minister's unusual resignation speech outside No 10, during which he mourned the 'quirky' Tory revolt that ultimately forced him to quit.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and former minister Michael Gove, described by a No10 source as 'a snake' after turning on Mr Johnson, have ruled themselves out, The Independent understands.

But a dozen deputies are said to be preparing campaigns or soliciting support. Crowded contest threatens to be akin to 'goofy races', backbencher Steve Brine says.

Tory backbench MP Tom Tugendhat has become the first contestant to throw his hat in the ring Thursday night. The chairman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, who has never served in government, said he would offer the party a "fresh start".

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Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said: "I am bringing together a broad coalition colleagues who will bring new energy and ideas to government and ultimately bridge the Brexit divide that has dominated our recent history."

Mr. Tugendhat received a major boost over Jeremy Hunt in his bid to win support from moderate Tories when One Nation caucus leader Damian Green backed him as the next Prime Minister.

M . Green told Sky News: "Having a fresh start with someone who is not in the cabinet and who is determined to restore the highest standards will be exactly what the country wants... You I can accept that Tom is running."

On Thursday, Jeremy Hunt was "very likely" to announce his leadership bid in the coming days.

A source close to the MP, who is presented for leadership in 2019, told the AP news agency that he was "virtually certain" to enter the contest and that he had growing support from his fellow conservatives.

< p>And there was a surprise outside offer from Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron that he was considering throwing his hat in the ring.

The pro-Brexit MP said: " I myself have been approached to think about it...and I would be a newcomer...I will be doing some polls over the weekend quality=75&width=230&auto=webp" alt="Boris Johnson resigns nne - live: PM quits as Raab and Gove 'rul out' Tory leadership bid" height="56" width="82" layout="responsive" class="i-amphtml-layout-responsive i-amphtml-layout-size-defined" i -amphtml-layout="responsive"/>Boris Johnson resigns - live: PM resigns as Raab and Gove 'exclude' Tory leadership bid