Nominations for the Leadership of the Conservative Party closed at noon yesterday. Shortly afterwards I received an email from the Chairman of the 1922 Committee who is the Returning Officer for the election. I quickly scanned down the list all looked as expected until then it struck me. Hang on 1,2,3,4,5 only 5 who is missing I thought. Wow, no Boris Johnson on the list!

I had heard that Michael Gove had shocked everyone by announcing he was to stand himself and not back Boris Johnson but I had not thought Boris would stand.

We now have Stephen Crabb, Liam Fox, Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom and Theresa May. The first round of voting will take place on Tuesday and MP’s will have an opportunity to hear from all the candidates first on Monday. All the candidates have their plus points and would no doubt make excellent Leaders but we only have one vote and in the first round I will vote for Liam Fox.