MP Rebecca Pow, who represents the Wellington and Wiveliscombe areas, has given her backing to Rishi Sunak in the Conservative Party leadership contest.

Ms Pow also supported the former Chancellor against then-Foreign Minister Liz Truss during the summer leadership election after Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister.

She said at the time: “He has integrity, Conservative values, is straight talking, has a proven track record, a plan, and understands the importance of our rural areas and a sustainable environment.”

Now, Ms Pow has again put her support behind Mr Sunak as the country’s next Prime Minister following last week’s resignation of Liz Truss, who had won the summer contest.

Ms Pow said: “Unity, stability, certainty. This is what we need.

“And we need it now. It is time for sense. It is time for Sunak.”

Conservative MPs will vote on the leadership tomorrow (Monday) with up to three candidates from whom to choose.

Currently, Mr Sunak and House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt are the only two candidates to declare themselves.

Candidates will need at least 100 Conservative MPs to formally support their leadership bid in order to be included on the ballot paper.

Nominations close at 2 pm tomorrow and the first round of MP voting will start at 3.30 pm after candidates have had an opportunity to speak to their colleagues at a series of short hustings.

The result of the first ballot will be announced at 6 pm by the backbenchers’ 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, with a second round of voting starting at 6.30 pm if it is needed.

The final result will be declared by Sir Graham at 9 pm.

If there are still two candidates remaining, then an online ballot of paid-up Party members across the UK will be held during the week, with the new Prime Minister announced on Friday, October 28.