WHO will be the next Prime Minister?

Last night (October 23), Boris Johnson pulled out of the race to become the next Tory leader. This leaves just two leadership hopefuls remaining.

Front runner amongst MPs is the former chancellor Rishi Sunak. He now has the backing of more than half the Tory party in the Commons while his rival Penny Mordaunt has just 26 declarations. 

To make it on the ballot paper and secure the keys to 10 Downing Street, 100 nominations are needed by 2pm today. 

If Ms Mordaunt can reach the threshold in time, the new prime minister could be crowned by party members this Friday. 

This would make the new leader Britain's fifth prime minister in just six years. 

Here's who our MPs are backing for the top job.

Weston MP John Penrose

Johnson's former anti-corruption tsar has publicly backed Penny Mordaunt, claiming her premiership would 'smash the glass ceiling' for women across the country. 

Following Theresa May's departure in 2019, the MP backed Jeremy Hunt and declared he was a 'healer'.

Mr Penrose said: "After a tumultuous day, I hope Penny Mordaunt puts her hat in the ring to become our next PM.

"She's got the leadership ability to get the country back on track and reach everyone who voted Conservative in 2019 too."

North Somerset MP Liam Fox

On the day Liz Truss resigned - after just 44 days - Dr Fox endorsed Rishi Sunak for leader.

He said: "His energy and optimism are what our party and our country needs to secure a better future and he can unite the party by bringing all his talents into government.

"His calm confidence is just what the UK needs and his economic judgment has been shown to be absolutely correct."

Mr Sunak became the first frontline politician to ever be included in the Sunday Times Rich List of the UK’s wealthiest people earlier this year and has an estimated fortune of £730m along with his wife Akshata Murty - this is about double the estimated wealth of King Charles and Camilla. 

If Sunak is crowned later today, it will be the first time in history that a British prime minister will be richer than the occupant of Buckingham Palace. 

According to openDemocracy, Sunak was also involved in a scheme that made 'millions of pounds' after it helped to trigger the 2008 financial crisis. 

Wells MP James Heappey

Also backing the former Chancellor of the Exchequer is the current veteran's minister James Heappey. 

In a Tweet posted yesterday, he said: "I’ve been agonising all weekend knowing that our choice as next PM must bring together our divided party and restore stability to our government.

"All wings of our party will need to work together after the contest to achieve that but I’m supporting Rishi Sunak to lead us in doing so."

The MP also backed Mr Sunak in the previous Tory leadership contest.