Newark MP Robert Jenrick has joined the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Newark MP Robert Jenrick has joined the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Speculation over who would enter the Tory leadership contest started after Rishi Sunak announced he was stepping down as leader following a landslide defeat in the General Election.

Mr Jenrick is the third contender to announce his candidacy, following the former Home Secretary James Cleverly and former security minister Tom Tugendhat.

He has been endorsed by a number of Conservatives including the MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham Caroline Johnson, who said on X: “Rob has sound Conservative principles and the temperament and attributes to be a great leader.”

The MP has been a regular fixture on national news lists of potential candidates after holding a number of high profile ministerial positions including as housing secretary under Boris Johnson and most recently as immigration minister under Rishi Sunak.

Mr Jenrick resigned from cabinet in December last year over the government’s handling of the controversial Rwanda policy, saying that it did not go far enough.

He was re-elected to the Newark constituency in July’s General Election, but saw his majority slashed to 3,572 votes, and is the last remaining Conservative MP in Nottinghamshire.

A website, JoinJenrick.com, has also been set up with a clock counting down to an official leadership campaign launch in a week’s time, on August 2.

What are your thoughts? Let us know.