Speculation is mounting that Kent MP Tom Tugendhat is preparing to launch a second bid to be the next leader of the Conservative party.

The Tonbridge and Malling MP is widely thought to be preparing for a tilt at the Tory leadership.

Mr Tugendhat has not formally declared his intentions and has chosen not to say anything publicly regarding whether he plans to stand.

A leadership battle will be held but there is not yet a new 1922 committee to oversee one in a party that has had five different leaders in as many years.

Media reports are suggesting he will make a second tilt for the role and pitch himself as a unity candidate.

Mr Tugendhat has previously put himself forward as leadership candidate to succeed Boris Johnson in 2022.

He ran a slick campaign and is widely regarded as having the better of his rivals in televised hustings but was squeezed out in the third round of voting by MPs, who decide should be on the shortlist of two.

The former security minister has in recent days taken to social media to attack Labour, accusing it of not having a plan for either the NHS or for dealing with the small boats crossings, as well as warning voters of the costly consequences of constitutional tinkering.

And he has taken to task the government’s failure to commit to increasing defence spending.

In a post on X, he said: “Over the next five years, do you want the state to have more control over your life?

“That’s the question that will be the difference between our country succeeding or not.

“Labour and the SNP think that government should decide how you live your life. I disagree.”

The MP saw his majority secured at 20,517 votes, defeating his nearest rivals; the Labour Party’s Lewis Bailey on 9,351, and the Green’s Anna Cope on 7,596.