A WORCESTERSHIRE MP is being tipped as a contender to become deputy Prime Minister - in a "working class" double act aimed at stopping Boris Johnson.

Sajid Javid is considering making a run for the job alongside current Work and Pensions Minister Stephen Crabb, who would become the Prime Minister as part of a joint Tory 'dream ticket'.

It comes as the timetable for choosing David Cameron's replacement was dramatically brought forward, with the new face now due to be inside Number 10 on September 2.

The Worcester News can also reveal how city MP Robin Walker is planning to have immediate face-to-face private talks with the likes of Boris Johnson, fellow leadership hopeful Theresa May and any other leadership contenders - saying he wants to test their credentials "very carefully".

Over the next 48 hours Conservative MPs have been invited to take part in private Q&As with the potential candidates.

All the nominations needs to be in by this Thursday under the new, speedy timetable, with Tory MPs then getting to pick their preferences before two final hopefuls are put to the 130,000 party members nationwide.

Chancellor George Osborne has already ruled himself out but Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, who has Worcester's MP as her parliamentary private secretary (PPS), is also thought to be considering a bid.

But all eyes in Worcestershire are on Business Secretary Mr Javid, the son of a Pakistani bus driver in Bristol, who represents Bromsgrove.

Stephen Crabb, 43, grew up with a single mum on a housing estate in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is considering pitching for the leadership role in a joint ticket with Mr Javid.

Mr Walker is good friends with Mr Javid, and after he got elected in 2010 also had Mr Crabb was also his Whip in the Commons.

He said: "The situation is fast moving and fast changing - I've been contacted by people (leadership contenders) and clearly, campaigns are on the move.

"I'll be going to a number of meetings where I'll be asking all the candidates my questions - it's important to look them in the eyes, given what's at stake.

"But there's nothing more I can say. Sajid's a great guy, Stephen Crabb was my Whip when I first came to parliament so I know him reasonably well too.

"Nicky's a great individual who I know well, and of course Theresa May is a great contender too. We will see who comes forward."

He also said he felt a woman taking over as Prime Minister would be "no bad thing", with Mrs May widely tipped as Boris Johnson's main rival.

Mr Walker took part in the PM's first Commons debate since the referendum yesterday, praising Mr Cameron for his efforts in drastically reducing youth unemployment.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, a minister in the Treasury, has called upon her party to find "a worthy successor" to Mr Cameron.

"Under David Cameron's leadership the economy has grown by 13 per cent and a record number of fellow Britons are in work," she said.

"At the election last year the party won its first majority for 23 years - he's been a great and compassionate leader and it's been a privilege to serve as a minister in his Government.

"A timetable has been set out for first the Parliamentary party and then the membership to choose their favoured leader - I hope we find a worthy successor to David Cameron to become next Prime Minister."

CAMERON ARRIVES FOR EU SUMMMIT

DAVID Cameron vowed that Britain will not turn its back on its European allies during a visit to Brussels today.

The outgoing Prime Minister took part in private talks with EU leaders, saying he wanted them "to be as constructive as possible" with his successor.

The EU summit was the first time the premier had spoken to the bloc's leading figures since last week's referendum.

Mr Cameron said: "These countries are our neighbours, our friends, our allies and our partners.

"I very much hope we'll seek the closest possible relationship in terms of trade and co-operation and security, because that's good for us and good for them."

Speaking to reporters as he entered the EU summit building, he added: "And that’s the spirit in which the discussions I think will be held today."

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has called for the UK to be given time to decide how it would leave the bloc but the European Parliament has called for a "swift Brexit to end uncertainty".

Despite the increasing political and diplomatic tensions, financial markets took a break from two straight trading days of steep losses today.

Shares were continuing to recover this afternoon trading in London, where a rebound in the financial sector led the revival.

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