Conservative leadership: Ex-cabinet minister Esther McVey signals she will run to succeed Theresa May

‘People have come forward and said they’d support me’

Former cabinet minister Esther McVey has signalled she will run for the Tory leadership as senior Conservatives gather support for their bids to succeed Theresa May.

The ex-work and pensions secretary, who presided over part of the botched rollout of universal credit, said she would put herself forward to be the next prime minister if she thought she had “a fair shot”.

Ms May told Tory MPs that she would step down if her Brexit deal passed in the Commons, allowing someone else to lead the next phase of negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

Despite uncertainty about when she might resign, rival candidates were quick to mobilise, with as many 20 MPs currently in the frame for the top job.

Ms McVey, a staunch Brexiteer, told The Times that a woman should on the final list of candidates for the role.

She said: “That would show we represent everyone ... I believe in meritocracy and I believe in reaching out to all kinds.

“If somebody like me could have a go at being in cabinet and a go at going for the top job, that just shows how open we are as a party.”

Asked if she would stand, the Tatton MP said: “People have come forward and said they’d support me.

“If it’s enough numbers then I would. If it isn’t, then I won’t. I will decide if I think ... I’ve got a fair shot.”

Ms McVey, a former GMTV presenter, divided opinion while at the Department for Work Pensions (DWP) where she took a tough stance on welfare.

She was forced to apologise for misleading the Commons after downplaying a critical report on universal credit reforms by the National Audit Office.

Ms McVey resigned from the cabinet in November in protest at Ms May’s Brexit deal, but shifted her stance to back the plan in the most recent Commons vote.

Leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson has been holding meetings with MPs across the party to prepare ground for a leadership bid, while home secretary Sajid Javid and foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt are also said to be sounding out support.

Other potential candidates include Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, Matthew Hancock, the health secretary, and environment secretary Michael Gove.

Amber Rudd, who took over as work and pensions secretary from Ms McVey, has made it clear she will lend her support to a candidate, though she may not run herself, according to The Times.

Some 20 Tories could enter the race, although several will do so to raise their profiles without expecting to win.

Tory MP Nigel Evans, secretary of the backbench 1922 Committee, said there would be “more runners and riders than the Grand National” in the race to succeed Ms May.