THEresignation of Boris Johnson as prime minister has seenattention turntowho will replace him.

Only a handful of Tories have so far declared themselves candidates, although a number of others are thought to be set to do so.

Attorney GeneralSuella Braverman and Commons foreign affairs committee chairman Tom Tugendhat have confirmed their intention to stand while Steve Baker has said he is seriously considering standing.

Ms Bravermantook the unusual step this week of calling on Mr Johnson to resign, saying that she would not be stepping down but at the same time throwing her hat into the ring as his potential successor.

Mr Tugendhatlaunched his leadership bid with an article in the Daily Telegraph today, promising tax cuts and new energy and ideas for government.

"I have served before in the military and now in Parliament. Now I hope to answer the call once again as prime minister, said the former soldier, who has been a prominent critic of Mr Johnson and an advocate of a more aggressive foreign policy.

Former chancellorRishi Sunak also unveiled his candidacy today, the most high-profile figure so far to do so.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, former health secretarySajid Javid, ChancellorNadhim Zahawi, health and social care select committee chairmanJeremy Hunt and Transport SecretaryGrant Shapps are all expected to enter an increasingly crowded field.

More declarations are expected in the coming days, but some senior Tories have already said that they will not be standing, including former levelling up secretary Michael Gove, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and disgraced former health secretary Matt Hancock.

Another candidate yet to confirm, but already installed as the bookies favourites, is Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Polling of Tory Party members by YouGov also puts Mr Wallace in pole position, where he beats all of the main presumed contenders.

Mr Wallace, who served in the Scots Guards, has had a prominent role in Britains response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

However, he has one of the worst voting records on LGBT rights in Parliament.

He has opposed every piece of LGBT legislation put in front of him, including same-sex marriage and the Equality Act.

Mr Wallace also voted in favour of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which, had it passed, would have made it harder for lesbian couples to conceive children through IVF.

Hehas also repeatedly opposed raising welfare benefits and has always backed more hard-line immigration and asylum laws.

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Handful of Tories declare themselves as candidates to replace Johnson - Morning Star Online