Penny Mordaunt has been dubbed one of the frontrunners in the Tory leadership race - but what else do we know about her?

The current International Trade Secretary, 49, is one of the favourites to replace Boris Johnson after he resigned last week following a mass of resignations in his party.

The four-times elected Portsmouth MP has insisted since her campaign for leader began that she is “very different” from Mr Johnson.

In Betfair's most recent odds, she is favoured to win the leadership contest at 4/5 odds, closely followed by former Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 4/1 and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on 9/2 odds.

Here's what we know about Mordaunt from her voting recording to her manifesto for leadership. 

Who is Penny Mordaunt?

Ms Mordaunt has been a Conservative MP since May 2020, when she served under David Cameron's Coalition government as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation from 2014 to 2015.

After the 2015 general election, she became the first female Minister of State for the Armed Forces before she worked as the Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health under Theresa May.

Before becoming an MP, she was an active Tory member including heading the youth wing of the Conservative Party following her Philosophy degree at the  University of Reading.

Ms Mordaunt also served in the Royal Naval Reserve, reaching the rank of  Acting Sub-Lieutenant and Honorary Captain.

Throughout her time as an MP, she has worked in various departments including as the Minister for Women and Equalities, the first female Secretary of Defence and Paymaster General in HM Treasury.

Penny Mordaunt EU referendum vote and Brexit views

Ms Mordaunt is considered one of the most high profile politicians to have supported Brexit during the 2016 referendum on EU membership.

Ahead of the May vote, she made the controversial claim that the UK would have no say on whether Turkey could join the EU.

Prime Minister David Cameron had to later deny these claims that the government was "not going to be consulted" on new EU members.

You can view her voting record as well as learn more about her parliamentary career via the UK Parliament website.

Penny Mordaunt's next Conservative leader campaign manifesto

After announcing that she was running, Ms Mordaunt declined to describe Mr Johnson as a good Prime Minister, instead thanking him for delivering Brexit.

During her campaign, she has indicated that she would not call an early general election to win her own mandate if she entered No 10.

The naval reservist has also pledged to return to traditional Conservative values of “low tax, small state and personal responsibility”.

As part of her platform, she stands by the Conservative manifesto commitment to meet the NATO target for defence spending of 2% of GDP and increase it by 0.5% above inflation every year.

The Tory leader hopeful has won the backing of Sir Mike Penning, who resigned as Conservative Party vice-chairman to campaign for her.

New Conservative leader betting odds

These are the betting odds on the next leader of the Conservative Party from Betfair:

  • Penny Mordaunt: 4/5
  • Rishi Sunak: 4/1
  • Liz Truss: 9/2
  • Kemi Badenoch: 22/1
  • Tom Tugendhat: 54/1
  • Suella Braverman: 199/1

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: "Despite Rishi Sunak winning the first Tory leadership contest with 88 votes, Penny Mordaunt, who received 67, remains the clear 4/5 odds-on favourite to replace Boris Johnson, while the former chancellor trails behind at 4/1. Liz Truss won 50 votes, the third-highest number, and is 9/2 to move into No.10."

For up-to-the-minute odds, visit the Betfair Exchange website.