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Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith may join a field of 19 Tories in the contest to succeed Theresa May .

The former Welfare Secretary who quit David Cameron’s Cabinet over disability cuts has told friends he’s thinking of standing.

Mr Duncan Smith, 64, had a disastrous two years as Conservative leader between 2001-03 where he billed himself as a quiet man not to be underestimated.

That prompted Labour MPs to raise their fingers to their lips each time IDS rose to speak and say “shush” in unison.

He lost a confidence vote and Michael Howard succeeded him.

Frontrunners to succeed May last night were unity candidate, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt,and Brexiteer Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Former International Development Secretary Priti Patel, her successor Penny Mordaunt, Treasury Secretary Liz Truss and DWP Secretary Amber Rudd are also expected to run.

None are hopeful of winning, but once knocked out they would transfer their votes to their preferred candidate in return for jobs.

A senior Tory said: “That tactic is what’s behind IDS thinking of running.

“He has a loyal following amongst older Tory MPs and his votes would be useful to one of the frontrunners.”

Ms Rudd is expected to back Mr Hunt while Priti Patel is tipped to be Boris Johnson’s running mate.

Although the former Foreign Secretary is still favourite among Tory members most MPs think he won’t get that far.

One said: “Boris had a top job in government which showed he wasn’t up to it.

“He was lazy and made too many mistakes.”

MPs use the knockout contest to whittle down candidates until two remain. The winner is then chosen by a ballot of members.

Ladbrokes odds of the frontrunners

Backbench MP Boris Johnson - 5/1

(Image: PA)

Age: 54.

Former Mayor of London and Foreign Secretary. Flowery language and colourful love life. Favourite with the bookies and rank-and-file Tories, but not MPs. Unlikely to make the final two.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove - 5/1

(Image: Getty)

Age: 51.

Former Lord Chancellor, Education Secretary and Chief Whip. MPs question his loyalty.

He stabbed David Cameron in the back over Brexit and Boris in the front in Tory leadership contest. But considered a safe-pair-of-hands.

Backbench MP Dominic Raab - 8/1

(Image: Getty)

Age: 45.

Brexit Secretary for four months last year and former chief of staff to Brexit architect David Davis. Karate black belt.

Famous for eating same Pret lunch each day - chicken Caesar and bacon baguette, superfruit pot and the vitamin volcano smoothie.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt - 8/1

(Image: PA)

Age: 52.

Former Health Secretary, Culture Secretary and marmalade salesman. Tories admire the way he coped with the NHS and saw down the junior doctors.

Spans the divide between Brexiteers and Remainers. Forgets the nationality of his wife.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid - 12/1

(Image: Getty)

Age: 49.

Fomer Housing, Business and Culture Secretary. Intensely ambitious and so desperate to be PM it’s become a joke with MPs. Not considered very clever.

His hunt for good headlines as led to mistakes, especially stripping jihadi bride Shamima Begum of citizenship.