Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake is backing Kemi Badenoch as leader of the Conservative Party.

Mr Hollinrake, who is the Shadow Business Secretary, told the Press: “She’s strong, she’s bold and she’s brave. She says things the other people aren’t prepared to say.”

The MP added today (Wed), before heading off to hear the candidate speak at the Conservative Party Conference: “People have had enough of the mealy-mouthed approach to politics. She’s very optimistic about the future, which I like.”

Mr Hollinrake appeared on BBC’s Newsnight on Tuesday also explaining why he supports  Mrs Badenoch, the MP for North West Essex.

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Seen on the right of the Conservative Party, the 44-year-old is a former Secretary of State for Business and Trade and is the current Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling UP, Housing and Communities.

Kemi Badenoch- PAKemi Badenoch- PA (Image: PA)

When he announced his support for the candidate last month, Mr Hollinrake said on twitter: "I’ve worked with Kemi in government for several years and she makes things happen.

“She showed decisive leadership in helping me with redress for thousands of postmasters from the Horizon scandal and supporting SMEs. She has a clear vision for the @renewal2030 of our party and our politics. And I’ll be working with her to achieve just that.”

The other candidates for the Conservative Party leadership are James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat.