Andrea Leadsom has a wealth of grassroots support, it has been claimed

We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow

Steve Bell has warned that Tory MPs will get a “wake-up call” when they discover the extent of support among party members – who have increased in number since David Cameron’s resignation.

The number of registered Tory members jumped by 10,000 after the Prime Minister announced he would stand down.

Energy Minister Mrs Leadsom is believed to have views that are far more in tune with the Tory membership than her contender Theresa May, especially with issues such as fox hunting, gay marriage and HS2.