SUSSEX Conservative MPs have begun to weigh in on the party’s leadership contest, with one touted as a possible candidate.

A total of 11 candidates have come forward to replace Boris Johnson following his resignation last week, including former health secretary Sajid Javid, transport secretary Grant Shapps and foreign secretary Liz Truss.

Lewes MP and health minister Maria Caulfield has announced her endorsement for former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, describing him as “the best candidate” to boost the economy and reduce inflation.

She said: “I want us to have an experienced and hardworking leader who shares the values of my constituents.

“We’ve got work to do to tackle inflation and grow the economy and Rishi is the best candidate to deliver for us”.

Mr Sunak has pledged to restore trust in politics, rebuild the economy and reunite the country should he be elected as party leader and Prime Minister.

Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, has backed Attorney General Suella Braverman to be the next Prime Minister and said she would tackle the numbers of immigrants coming into the country illegally and cut taxes.

He said: “I’m supporting Suella because she believes in realising the benefits of Brexit, keeping our borders secure and a low-tax recovery for our economy.”

Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West, has endorsed former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, with Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell backing trade minister and Royal Naval reservist Penny Mordaunt for party leader and Prime Minister.

Ms Ansell said: “She has the experience to take the lead and the qualities to take people with her. I have huge respect for the central role Penny played as paymaster general in the pandemic and she was brilliant as the coastal communities minister.”

Reports have also circulated that Chichester MP Gillian Keegan may also be considering a run as Tory leader and Prime Minister.

The Argus has been unable to confirm this and Ms Keegan was contacted for comment.

The Argus: Britain's next Prime Minister? Chichester MP Gillian Keegan is thought to be considering a run to become the next leader of the Conservative PartyBritain's next Prime Minister? Chichester MP Gillian Keegan is thought to be considering a run to become the next leader of the Conservative Party

However, East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton has ruled himself out from the leadership race, replying to a Tweet suggesting he should become Prime Minister with a laughing face emoji. It is unclear who he will endorse for the top job.

Rehman Chishti, foreign minister and MP Gillingham and Rainham, has also thrown his hat into the ring, but has yet to be endorsed by any of his Conservative colleagues.

The MP, who stood as a Labour candidate in Horsham in 2005, said that the country needed a “fresh start”, with lower taxes and a smaller state.

The contest is expected to be hotly contested, with no one candidate seen as the favourite to win.

Former Cabinet minister Michael Gove has announced his support for Kemi Badenoch’s bid to become party leader and Prime Minister. The University of Sussex alumni and MP for Saffron Walden has said she would “reinvigorate the case for free speech, free markets and the institutions that defend a free people”.

Badenoch, the former equalities minister, previously criticised the treatment of Professor Kathleen Stock, who resigned as a lecturer at Sussex University after being accused of transphobia.

Speaking to Sky News last year, she said: “I don’t think she should lose her job. I think she has every right to hold her beliefs. I think she is probably in step with the majority of the population.”

More candidates are expected to announce plans to run in the coming days, including home secretary Priti Patel.

A new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister is expected to take office by mid-September.