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Theresa May gains strong support from Conservative MPs

Theresa May has won the backing of four times as many MPs as any other candidate for the Conservative Party leadership, a survey by ITV News shows.

Of 139 MPs who have spoken to ITV News, 82 said they would be supporting the Home Secretary.

Earlier, Michael Gove declared himself "the candidate for change" as he set out his pitch to become Conservative leader and prime minister.

Gove said after last week's referendum vote for Brexit, the new prime minister must be someone who fought on the Leave side - effectively ruling out Mrs May, who was part of the Remain campaign, even though her contributions to it were notably low-key.

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Crabb: We have never faced challenges like ones ahead

Stephen Crabb officially launched his Tory leadership campaign on Wednesday. Credit: PA

Stephen Crabb said the UK faces challenges ahead "the like of which we have never seen before", as he formally launched his bid to become the next leader of the Conservative party.

The Work and Pensions Secretary said there could be no "stepping back" from the referendum result and ruled out a second ballot.

"Today we face a set of challenges the like of which we have never seen in Britain, a set of problems of almost mind-boggling complexity," he said.

"There is no playbook available that would explain all the manoeuvres and steps that need to be taken to get through this. There is no manual waiting on anyone's shelf to be dusted down that provides instructions on the way forward.

"There is certainly no candidate in this race who can stand here today and provide all the answers."

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Theresa May gains strong support from Conservative MPs

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