A poll of Tory members revealed Jacob Rees-Mogg to be the second most popular choice as next party leader

Jacob Rees-Mogg is “sounding out” friends about whether he should enter the race to succeed Theresa May. The Old Etonian, who previously said he did not see himself as a “serious” candidate, is giving “careful consideration” to his political career, friends say.

The news comes days after the father of six was revealed as the second-most popular choice to become the next Tory leader in a poll of party members by the ConservativeHome website. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Rees-Mogg, 48, sidestepped questions about his ambition, saying: “I think if I threw my hat into the ring, my hat would be thrown back at me pretty quickly.”

He has resolutely supported May, who lost her party’s majority in June’s general election.

While David