Britain it is plunged into the deepest political crisis since the second world war. With a conservative party in extinction after Brexit and divided like never before, Tory deputies must align themselves “in the national interest” around a candidate to succeed Liz Truss, if they don’t want to end up in a snap national electionthat Labor will win.
To reduce the dispersion of this election that guarantees the Tories their continuity in power, the 1922 Committee (the highest party authority) resolved that each candidate must have the backing of 100 of the 357 Tory MPs.
all nominations end next monday before 2 p.m. On Friday 28 is chosen and the 31 is enthroned. But they could find a candidate “by coronation” next Monday as well.
The candidates
The favorite candidate of the militants is former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was on vacation in Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic when Liz Truss resigned on Thursday, in the shortest speech in Downing St.
The second is the former Chancellor of Finance, Rishi Sunakwhich shattered Boris’s power when he resigned and triggered the crisis that forced Johnson out of power.
the third is Penny Mordaunta former military officer, leader of the House of Commons and former defense secretary, who appears in this chaos as “the unit candidate”although everyone thinks it can be even worse than Liz Truss Because he doesn’t know economics.
With everything, already announced his candidacy this Friday. “I am a candidate to be the head of the Conservative Party and prime minister, to unite our country, fulfill our commitments and win the next legislative elections,” wrote the 49-year-old deputy.
Ben Wallace, the defense minister, retired and supports Boris Johnson, on behalf of the unit.
Sunak is willing to offer Boris to be your interior minister to deal with the sensitive issue of immigration. a way to start a reconciliation process.
The numbers
So far there are 54 MPs who support Sunak, 38 Boris Johnson and 16 Penny Mordaunt.
Truss spent only six weeks in his office. But he will propose a list of citizens to honor in the House of Lords, like all premiers.
Boris’s career
Boris launched into the race six weeks after being kicked out of Downing St and signing off in Parliament with a line from the Terminator, “See you later, baby”.
Have an ongoing parliamentary inquiry for lying in the House of Commons, for the COVID party scandal, which if found guilty, could cost him the bank. He is a candidate divide legislators but it is supported by the militants.
“I saved the party from being cleaned up,” Boris told the Tories, in a pitched battle around his controversial leadership. He was referring to his last election, where won by 14 million votes and an overwhelming majority.
From Punta Cana to London, non-stop
Boris took a plane from Punta Cana to Great Britain on Thursday, and already is operating among its allies. So far no one has seen him except his family.
A cabinet minister said on Friday that he believes Boris Johnson could secure the 100 nominations that he needs Conservative MPs to advance the Tory leadership race if he does stand.
The aristocratic deputy Jacob Rees-Mogg, a figure plucked from the 18th centuryhas become the first cabinet minister to publicly declare his support for the former premier this morning, posting on social media: “I support Boris #BorisOrBust” (Boris or bust).
Second election in three months
The second leadership contest in three months began on Thursday, after the extraordinary resignation of Liz Truss. The now former prime minister was forced to leave office 44 days into her term, after a few seismic weeks in Westminster, in which his mini tax reduction budget collapsed and caught fire.
Now all eyes are on who could replace her. There is growing speculation that Johnson could return to front-line politics.
Will Walden, Johnson’s former press secretary, said today: “I spoke to someone who spoke to him and he’s back. And clearly is doing surveys“.
Stanley, the father of Boris Johnson, did not say whether the former prime minister was returning to politics. Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if Johnson was returning before his trip abroad, his father said: “I can not tell you”.
A candidate for the national interest?
Party rules for the leadership competition mean challengers need the backing of at least 100 Conservative MPs. for monday afternoon to stay in the race.
This means that the maximum number of candidates that can remain they are three. If three candidates get 100 supports, there will be a parliamentary vote and the two winners will be presented to the members of the party.
If members vote for the top two contenders, the new leader will be elected on Friday, October 28.
However, if Conservative MPs unite behind one candidate, the contest will end on monday. It will be the scene of the “unity candidate” in the “name of the national interest.”
When asked about Johnson’s chances for a second run for the job, a cabinet minister told Sky News political editor Beth Rigby: “I hope it gets to 100.”
Even the people who resigned from their government were on the terrace of Parliament on Thursday telling their colleagues that now they would support it and the members definitely will.”
A friend of Boris Johnson also told this correspondent that it is “likely” to occur.
A winning candidate
After an unforgettable, chaotic day, which scared the conservatives themselves, everything seemed to indicate that 45 percent of voters supported Boris.
Nadine Dorries, a former culture secretary and staunch Johnson ally, said she is confident that will reach the threshold of 100 deputies.
“He is a known winner and he is certainly who I am putting my name up with because I want us to win the general election. Having a winner in place is what the party needs to survive,” said Dorries, a former culture secretary and Boris stalwart.
Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope said he is “thrilled” for the possibility of Johnson returning to No. 10.
“The news that Boris Johnson could be riding to the rescue of the country and the Conservative Party is really a great tonic“, said.
A figure that divides
Although a number of Conservative MPs have expressed support for Johnson’s return, remains a divisive figure in the party. Rishi Sunak hates it and the pro-Boris detest the former Chancellor. It will be a tough campaign, which can only be moderated by Penny Mordaunt, who in the face of so much hatred, could be the candidate of national interest.
Crispin Blunt, who called for Truss’s resignation, said Johnson is “not the character” to lead the Conservative Party at the moment. But he said that could return in the future.
Blunt, who is retiring in the upcoming election, stated that while Johnson is talented, he has “one or two” weaknesses that make him inadequate for the current circumstances.
Other Conservative MPs threaten to leave the game if Johnson returns. Senior MP Sir Roger Gale tweeted to remind people that the former prime minister, who resigned in a quagmire of sleazewas still under investigation by the Privileges Committee.
The decision on the leadership will depend on who the 60 deputies of the European Research Group, which will only meet on Monday. They are the ones will complete the 100 deputies what candidates need. Although so far Rishi Sunak is the most popular among parliamentarians.
Paris, correspondent
ap