What the candidates for next PM might mean to the racing and betting industries

Following Boris Johnson's resignation as prime minister on Thursday, the Racing Post has taken a look at the key contenders to replace him at 10 Downing Street and their connections to the racing and betting industries.

Ben Wallace 11-4

One of British racing's allies in the cabinet, the defence secretary has been a regular visitor to major race meetings and was spotted at this year’s Grand National at Aintree. His Wyre and Preston North constituency borders Wigan, and Wallace was also a vocal supporter of Fred Done's ultimately successful bid to buy the Tote in 2011.

Rishi Sunak 4-1

The former chancellor of the exchequer was regarded as being one of British racing's key allies in the cabinet before his resignation. His constituency of Richmond in North Yorkshire contains Catterick racecourse and Middleham, and he is said to have intervened on the sport's behalf during the gambling review.

Penny Mordaunt 6-1

The MP for Portsmouth North's interest in racing is focused more on the kind that takes place on water at Cowes Week than on turf. Tweeted her appreciation for fellow MP Tracey Crouch's "amazing work" on gambling reform, which may indicate what her views on that industry are.

Rishi Sunak: opened the Dales Stand at Catterick racecourseCredit: Catterick racecourse

Sajid Javid 10-1

Javid has knowledge of both the racing and betting industries having held a number of positions in government, including culture secretary. He was economic secretary to the treasury when point of consumption tax was introduced. During his stint as communities secretary he blocked a 400-home development in Newmarket – against an inspector's recommendation for approval – citing "a threat to the horseracing industry" as one of the reasons.

Liz Truss 10-1

Another racing supporter, the foreign secretary's South West Norfolk constituency contains the Shadwell Estate. This week three years ago she tweeted a picture of herself with Frankie Dettori at Newmarket on the final day of the July festival.

Tom Tugendhat 10-1

Tugendhat is unlikely to be the choice of the gambling industry judged by his public utterances on the subject, including a tweet saying "gambling destroys lives".

Ben Wallace: spotted at Aintree earlier this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jeremy Hunt 16-1

The MP for South West Surrey is well versed in the issues surrounding racing and betting from his time as culture secretary. During his tenure at the DCMS he had to determine the 2011-12 levy scheme after talks broke down between betting and racing. He was also in the role during the sale of the Tote.

Nadhim Zahawi 16-1

Another former cabinet member said to be a racing fan, Zahawi is the MP for the racecourse town of Stratford-upon-Avon. His liking for equines did land him in hot water nine years ago when it emerged he had used parliamentary expenses to heat the stables he owns.

Dominic Raab 33-1

The MP for Esher and Walton has Sandown Park on his patch. Raab wrote to the Gambling Commission during its consultation on affordability checks last year after being contacted by the racecourse and Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale. There are reports he has ruled himself out of running for prime minister, however.

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