James Cleverly has become the eleventh Conservative MP to enter the party’s crowded leadership contest.

The Braintree MP, a junior Brexit minister who previously served as deputy chairman of the party, said the Tories needed a leader who “truly believes in the opportunity Brexit presents”.

In a letter to his constituents in the Braintree and Witham Times, Mr Cleverly said: “Both the country, and my party, are beset with division.

“We cannot bring the country back together unless the party of government is united, and the party cannot unite if it is led from its fringes.

“I believe the case for Brexit is still valid, and I have not wavered in that belief.”

Who is standing to be the next prime minister? Show all 3 1 /3 Who is standing to be the next prime minister? Who is standing to be the next prime minister? Boris Johnson - 157 votes Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arriving in Downing Street, London, for a Cabinet meeting where Theresa May will brief on her plans for Brexit before a major speech aimed at helping to break the deadlock in the negotiations with Brussels. PA Who is standing to be the next prime minister? Michael Gove - 61 votes LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Britain's Environment Secretary Michael Gove leaves 10 Downing Street on June 7, 2018 in London, England. Prime Minister Theresa May is holding an emergency Brexit cabinet meeting in an attempt to resolve tensions over the UK's Irish border plan. (Photo by Simon Dawson/Getty Images) Getty Who is standing to be the next prime minister? Jeremy Hunt - 59 votes Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt leaving Downing Street, London, after attending a Cabinet meeting. PA

Mr Cleverly added that taking Britain out of the European without a withdrawal deal in place was “not his preferred choice”.

The winner of the leadership contest, who will also succeed Theresa May as prime minister, is expected to be announced by the end of July.

Among those vying to be the next Tory leader include top cabinet ministers such as home secretary Sajid Javid, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt and environment secretary Michael Gove.

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Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, Andrea Leadsom and Rory Stewart have also declared their intention to stand.

Speculation continues to surround the prospect of other contenders emerging, including defence secretary Penny Mordaunt and former 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady.

Ms May last week announced she would stand down after repeatedly failing to win support in the Commons for her deal to take the UK out of the European Union.