LOCAL MP Stephen Crabb is one of five politicians battling it out to be the next Prime Minister.

The former Tasker Milward pupil officially confirmed he would be running to be the leader of the Conservative party and Prime Minister in a press conference in London yesterday (Wednesday).

With Sajid Ravid as his number two, the pair were dubbed the 'blue-collar dream team'.

Running against the Work and Pensions Secretary will be Liam Fox, Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom and favourite Theresa May.

Former favourite and leader of the Leave campaign Boris Johnson today (Thursday) announced he would not be running to become Prime Minister in a shock move.

Mr Johnson made supporters and journalists wait until the end of his speech before revealing his intentions.

Britain had a chance "to think globally again, to lift our eyes to the horizon, to bring our uniquely British voice and values, powerful, humane, progressive, to the great global forums without being elbowed aside by a supranational body" and the agenda for the next PM would be to " seize this chance and make this our moment to stand tall in the world", said Mr Johnson.

But he added: " I must tell you, my friends, you who have waited faithfully for the punchline of this speech, that having consulted colleagues, and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me.

"My role will be to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration, make sure we properly fulfil the mandate of the people that was delivered at the referendum and to champion the agenda I believe in."

Conservative MPs will now vote on Tuesday for their two favourites who will campaign through the summer before a new leader is announced in September.