Last Saturday I launched an online survey to gather constituents’ views on who should be the next Prime Minister.

I have been encouraged  by the response, with over 500 constituents responding within the first 48 hours since launch to share their views with me.

The Conservative leadership contest, triggered by Boris Johnson’s resignation earlier this month, is now well underway. My colleagues and I have voted in successive rounds to whittle the candidates down to a final two.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, the final two candidates, now present the choice to Conservative Party members who will vote in a final ballot which closes on 2nd September.

I want to hear what South Shropshire residents think of the final two candidates, whether the former Chancellor  or current Foreign Secretary will become the next Prime Minister when the result is declared on 5th September.

I have not yet declared which candidate I will be supporting. This decision will affect the lives of every one of us as the new Prime Minister takes on the major challenges we face, not least the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.

Rishi and Liz are putting forward their distinctive views on how best to tackle key issues such as public spending, taxation, our relationship with the European Union and defence, so it is crucial that the candidate with the vision to succeed wins the contest. 

I strongly believe we need to be led by a Prime Minister who can restore integrity to politics and bring experience and competence to Government. But he or she also needs a compelling vision to chart the country through the choppy economic waters ahead.

Those who have been members of the Conservative Party since before 3rd June will be able to express their views in the final ballot, I want to ensure that all my constituents have an opportunity to share their opinion, regardless of who they have voted for in the past.

I want to understand your views before declaring support for either candidate. Please fill out the short confidential survey on my website to let me know which you think should become our next PM. You can do so here: www.tellphilip.com.