The UK could find out who is to run the country as early as Monday (October 24), as Conservative MPs are currently deciding who they want as third Prime Minister this year.
Liz Truss announced she is to step down from the role, making her the shortest serving Prime Minister in British history. In her resignation speech, Truss said she had made the decision as she was no longer able to deliver the mandate on which she was elected, following weeks of market turmoil and chaos in Westminster.
Her announcement triggered another leadership contest in the Conservative Party. So far, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak – who lost out to Truss in the last leadership contest – is favourite and Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt has thrown her hat into the ring.
Reports also suggest former Prime Minister Boris Johnson – who Truss replaced just 45 days ago – could make a return to the top job. The country will have its next leader by next Friday (October 28), but the public could know who is set to lead it as early as Monday.
This new leadership contest will be significantly shorter than the last one, and the winner could be decided by the votes of MPs, rather than Conservative Party members. In order to stand in the contest, candidates must secure nominations from 100 of the Tory party’s 357 MPs.
Under the rules set out by chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady and party chairman Sir Jake Berry, nominations for the contest will close at 2pm on Monday. If there are multiple candidates then MPs will vote for their favourite in a ballot held between 3.30pm and 5.30pm the same day.
If there are three candidates with the required number of nominations the loser will be eliminated from the contest. Once there are two candidates remaining, an indicative vote will be held so the party membership know which is the preferred option among MPs.
Members will be able to take part in an online vote to choose their next leader and the country’s prime minister with the contest due to conclude by Friday. However, if only one candidate manages to get the required 100 nominations then there will be no vote and they will be the next PM.
This means the UK could find out who will lead the country going forward as early as the Monday afternoon deadline if only one candidate receives the required 100 nominations. At time of writing, Sunak has the support of 72 MPs, Johnson has the support of 41, and Mordaunt has 17.
This could change significantly in the coming days as there are hundreds more Tory MPs who are yet to declare who they are backing. The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have all called for an immediate general election to end the political chaos.
The Lib Dems have also tabled a motion to block Johnson becoming Prime Minister, so many expect this tumultuous time in British politics to continue into next week.
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