Tobias Ellwood on if he will run for Prime Minister

Many Tory MPs have been linked with the position as Boris Johnson’s premiership appears to be drawing to an end.

This has included some people suggesting the Bournemouth East MP could be a suitable candidate.

Former minister Mr Ellwood told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think it is my time.

“If you look at the optics, despite the fact the referendum was six years ago, it is still a Brexiteer market when it comes to being our party leader.

“For the one nation side of the party it is still tough to be heard.

“Ironically it is the centre of British politics which you need to win general elections.”

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Current favourites to be next Prime Minister with the bookmakers include Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab, Penny Mordaunt and Sajid Javid.

Mr Ellwood said: “I am certainly pleased to see there are many good candidates. I will look carefully at the possibilities.

“Nadhim Zahawi, Jeremy Hunt, Tom Tugendhat.

"There are some good names there who I think will be able to turn our party around.”

Mr Ellwood, who has represented the Bournemouth East constituency since 20005, served in Government in junior minister roles under both David Cameron and Theresa May.

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This included as parliamentary under-secretary for defence veterans, reserves and personnel from June 2017 until July 2019, when Mrs May’s time as Prime Minister came to an end.

He has been on the backbenches throughout Mr Johnson’s period as leader, but the 55-year-old has held the government to account as chair of the defence select committee since January 2020.

Asked about a potential return to Government under a new leader, Mr Ellwood said: “It would be an honour to serve again but the appointment of Government ministers is for the Prime Minister."

Mr Ellwood said it was a privilege to be in his current role as chair of the defence select committee.

He said he felt through this position he had made a positive impact on policy and investment in defence.