AFTER launching his campaign to become the next Prime Minister this morning, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has received support from an Oxfordshire MP.

Mr Shapps, the MP for Welwyn Hatfield, announced he would be running to become Prime Minister, describing himself as a ‘problem solver with a proven record of delivery’.

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In a post online, he said: “Our country faces huge challenges, but with the right leader, our best days can still lie ahead.

“My case for the leadership is simple. I plan. I communicate. I campaign. I deliver.

“And I can win an election for our party in tough times.”

Witney MP Robert Courts told BBC’s Newsnight on Thursday that Mr Shapps would have his support, and has backed this up now the Transport Secretary has announced he is running to become the Conservative Party leader.

Mr Courts, a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, posted a message online this morning, saying: “After working with Grant Shapps in Government, I’m proud to support him for leader.

“I’ve seen up close how Grant has turned around a struggling department, through outstanding competence and excellent communication.

“He is the right person to take our country forward.”

Mr Shapps acknowledged the support of the Witney MP, tweeting: “I’ve worked with Robert in Government, where we transformed a struggling department into one capable of handling huge challenges.

“I am proud to have his support.”

Yesterday, Wantage MP David Johnston threw his support behind new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi to be the next Prime Minister.

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice