Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen says he has maintained his support for Rishi Sunak as he closes in on becoming the new Prime Minister - saying Britain cannot afford another 'political experiment'.

The MP for North West Leicestershire backed Sunak during last summer's Conservative leadership election which was eventually won by Liz Truss.

She then resigned as Prime Minister after 44 days - with Sunak set to take her place after missing out in early September.

Mr Bridgen was one of the voices calling for Boris Johnson to resign earlier this year.

But he made it clear on social media last week that he was still supporting Sunak - despite a supposed challenge from Johnson whch was abandoned on Sunday evening.

And Mr Bridgen has laid out his reasons in detail in a column for the American political website, The Pavlovic Today.

He writes: "I supported former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak's leadership bid this summer, and he ultimately lost at the members' ballot to Liz Truss. The rest, as they say, is now history.

"Following Truss's resignation this week, Rishi Sunak has another opportunity to be elected leader of the Conservative Party.

"Liz Truss's brief time as prime minister was undoubtedly eventful. The market reaction to her mini-budget was predicted at the leadership hustings by Rishi Sunak and played out as he accurately predicted.

"We are constantly told that the public wants politicians to be honest with them, and now the Conservative Party's membership has that opportunity. Rishi warned what would happen if Liz Truss got elected. Rishi told our fellow MPs, members and British people the truth.

Rishi Sunak speaking to North West Leicestershire Conservatives last August. PhotoL Rishi Sunak media team

"Truth, in politics, matters, especially at the time our country is at right now.

"We cannot afford another political experiment. We can only implement fiscal policies supported by the markets. Rishi's elevation to the prime minister would do precisely that, reassure the markets and allow the current chancellor Jeremy Hunt more freedom and financial headroom.

"Rishi has a track record in finance on the global stage.

"He has competence and, most importantly, a sound plan to get us out of this crisis economically.

"We owe that to the British people. That is how we will win the next General Election. By electing Rishi to deliver on his competent plan and help Jeremy Hunt continue to restore trust in our economy. 

"The only way the Conservative Party will win the next General Election is by making the British economy strong as hell. 

"That's where Rishi Sunak comes in.

Andrew Bridgen has maintained his support for Rishi Sunak. Photo: Andrewbridgen.com

"Sunak is also the one who has been consistent with his unwavering commitment to Brexit.

"Rishi voted for Britain to leave the EU and he has assured me that what we fought for will be protected under his premiership.

"When I look at Rishi Sunak, I see the future of Britain: innovative, optimistic, honest, respected, and most importantly, credible. 

"The leader Britain needs now is a leader who can deal with the acute financial challenges we face as a country and has the respect and moral courage to lead Britain on the global stage.

"We needed Rishi Sunak as our prime minister this past summer, and we need him even more now. We must get him over the finish line this time for the sake of our country and our party.

"I hope this time we are really #Ready4Rishi."