The Conservative Party announced on Tuesday July 12 that eight candidates had collected the 20 sponsorships required to apply for its leadership; and as Prime Minister, with the movement having a majority in the House of Commons.
Unsurprisingly, ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak, former defense minister Penny Mordaunt, head of diplomacy Liz Truss and MP Tom Tugendhat are competing for the succession of Boris Johnson. Newly appointed finance minister Nadhim Zahawi, government legal adviser (“Attorney General”) Suella Braverman, ex-secretary of state for legality Kemi Badenoch and former health minister Jeremy Hunt are also in the running.
As clarified Monday by the chairman of the parliamentary committee responsible for establishing the rules of the ballot, Graham Grady, the name of the successor should be known on September 5. A first round to start eliminating some of the eight candidates will take place on Wednesday, then a second on Thursday. The aim is to have only two names left before the parliamentary recess, which begins on July 22. The future Prime Minister will be known in September, following a final vote open to party members.
No support given by Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson has already warned that he will not take a position for any of the candidates for his post. ” I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s chances by offering my supportsaid the outgoing Prime Minister on Monday, during his first public appearance since his resignation on Thursday, July 7. But my job is mainly to supervise the procedure for the next few weeks. »
While waiting for September 5 and the transfer of power, Boris Johnson, forced to leave 10 Downing Street after a mutiny within his government, tired of scandals and lies, remains in office. The former mayor of London had made clear that his government, hastily rebuilt after dozens of departures in 48 hours, would not seek to implement new policies or make major changes.