Following Boris Johnson's resignation as Prime Minister, would-be contenders to claim the Tory crown are assessing whether they have the support to mount leadership bids. 

With no clear frontrunner, around a dozen potential candidates – including backbenchers as well as ministers – are thought to be weighing a challenge.

Meanwhile there is growing pressure from senior Conservatives for Mr Johnson to immediately step down as Prime Minister and not wait for the election of a new leader.

READ MORE: Lane on Oxford's closed due to COWS on the road

On Monday, elections will take place to the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee which will then set out the rules and timetable for the leadership contest.

Under current rules, MPs will vote in a series of secret ballots – depending on how many candidates there are – with the final two going forward to a vote of the membership.

Oxfordshire currently has four Conservative MPs; Robert Courts, David Johnston, Victoria Prentis and John Howell. 

Although none of these MPs are expected to run in the leadership contest, we wanted to see who you - our readers and their voters - would prefer to see in Downing Street. 

 

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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