RED WALL Conservatives are making Northern prosperity a key subject in the party leadership contest as the first TV debate looms tonight.

The race to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, is progressing at break-neck pace since his resignation last week.

In just one week, the field of play has been narrowed to five candidates: Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss, Tom Tugendhat and Kemi Badenoch.

Two rounds of polling within the Conservative Party have seen Nadhim Zahawi, Jeremy Hunt and Suella Braverman knocked out of the running.

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Workington MP Mark Jenkinson initially backed Mr Zahawi, believing that the former Education Secretary would be “a friend to Workington” as the next Prime Minister.

However, Mr Jenkinson has now given his support to Ms Truss after she signed-up to the Northern Research Group’s pledges.

The NRG is a group of backbench Conservative MPs designed to support the interests of the party’s Red Wall constituencies.

Mr Jenkinson said: “I’m proud to back Liz Truss for leader, she’ll help us unite the party and beat Labour at the next General Election.

“Liz has a clear plan for the economy and I trust her to deliver for the British public. She has my full support.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson is backing Tom Tugendhat for leader, he believes that the MP for Tonbridge and Malling will make an impact in the live TV hustings tonight.

Mr Stevenson said: “I think he’s done well to get through to the weekend which has always been our goal so people can see and hear him.”

He believes that while Mr Tugendhat does not have the profile of those in cabinet positions, he will garner support with tonight’s performance.

“He now get’s known by the wider population and also, more significantly, MPs will get to see him go head-to-head with more senior cabinet colleagues.”

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Mr Stevenson believes his candidate offers “something different” to a continuation of Boris Johnson’s policies through the cabinet and former cabinet members.

“I’m delighted he signed up to the Northern Research Group pledges that’s very relevant to Carlisle and the North. I’m delighted he supported us, he was first out of the blocks.”

The Carlisle MP believes Levelling-Up the North will be a key campaign issue for candidates in the leadership race. He said: “There’s over 80 MPs in the North, they have an influence on the outcome.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison is backing Penny Mordaunt who has taken second place in the polling behind former chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The final five will compete tonight in a live TV debate on Channel 4 at 7.30pm.

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