Stratford MP welcomes Theresa May's big lead in Tory leadership contest

STRATFORD MP Nadhim Zahawi today (Wednesday) welcomed Home Secretary Theresa May’s big lead following the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership election.

Mr Zahawi – who had been backing Boris Johnson until the former Mayor of London withdrew from the contest – is now supporting Mrs May in her bid to take over from David Cameron as Prime Minister.

After the poll among Tory MPs on Tuesday Mrs May secured 165 votes, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, 66, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, 48, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, 34 and former Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox, 16.

Dr Fox was automatically eliminated because he obtained the least number of votes. But Mr Crabb, who could have gone on to the next round of voting tomorrow (Thursday) – and whose campaign manager was Attorney General Jeremy Wright, MP for Kenilworth and Southam – chose to withdraw from the race.

This leaves Mrs May, Mrs Leadsom and Mr Gove in what will now be the final ballot among MPs on Thursday. After that vote, the two contenders who top the poll will go forward to the final round of voting by the grassroots membership of the Conservative Party. The result will be announced on 9th September.

Mr Zahawi said: “Theresa May had a good first round result. I am delighted that she has made the first step towards making use of her strong, calm and experienced leadership as our Prime Minister.

“I look forward to her position in the final two being confirmed in the second round vote on Thursday, and I hope to see the party membership decide that she is the best candidate to lead our country.”