Former cabinet minister Esther McVey has signalled she will run for the Tory leadership as senior Conservatives gather support for their bids to succeed Theresa May.

The ex-work and pensions secretary, who presided over part of the botched rollout of universal credit, said she would put herself forward to be the next prime minister if she thought she had “a fair shot”.

Ms May told Tory MPs that she would step down if her Brexit deal passed in the Commons, allowing someone else to lead the next phase of negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

Despite uncertainty about when she might resign, rival candidates were quick to mobilise, with as many 20 MPs currently in the frame for the top job.

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Show all 30 1 /30 Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds up a poster during a rally after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London, Friday, March 29, 2019. Pro-Brexit demonstrators were gathering in central London on the day that Britain was originally scheduled to leave the European Union. (AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit protester holds a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square in Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 29, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Jonathan Brady PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit protesters hold signs and wave flags at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit epa07471421 Pro-Brexit protesters gather outside of the Parliament for Nigel Farage's 'March to Leave' in London, Britain, 29 March 2019. MPs rejected Prime Minister's May EU withdrawal agreement earlier in the day. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA

Ms McVey, a staunch Brexiteer, told The Times that a woman should on the final list of candidates for the role.

She said: “That would show we represent everyone ... I believe in meritocracy and I believe in reaching out to all kinds.

“If somebody like me could have a go at being in cabinet and a go at going for the top job, that just shows how open we are as a party.”

Asked if she would stand, the Tatton MP said: “People have come forward and said they’d support me.

“If it’s enough numbers then I would. If it isn’t, then I won’t. I will decide if I think ... I’ve got a fair shot.”

Ms McVey, a former GMTV presenter, divided opinion while at the Department for Work Pensions (DWP) where she took a tough stance on welfare.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

She was forced to apologise for misleading the Commons after downplaying a critical report on universal credit reforms by the National Audit Office.

Ms McVey resigned from the cabinet in November in protest at Ms May’s Brexit deal, but shifted her stance to back the plan in the most recent Commons vote.

Leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson has been holding meetings with MPs across the party to prepare ground for a leadership bid, while home secretary Sajid Javid and foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt are also said to be sounding out support.

Other potential candidates include Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, Matthew Hancock, the health secretary, and environment secretary Michael Gove.

Amber Rudd, who took over as work and pensions secretary from Ms McVey, has made it clear she will lend her support to a candidate, though she may not run herself, according to The Times.

Some 20 Tories could enter the race, although several will do so to raise their profiles without expecting to win.