The race to replace Boris Johnson, the leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, intensified on Sunday (10) after nine Conservative MPs, including ministers, launched their candidacies.
Trade Minister Benny Mordant is the latest in a list of contenders that also includes Economy Minister Nadim Zahavi; Transport Minister Grand Shoppes; former health ministers Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt; Former Economy Minister Rishi Sunak; Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugenthat; Attorney General Suella Braverman; and former Equality Minister Kemi Patenoch.
Johnson resigned last Thursday, as more than 50 members of his government resigned in protest at mismanagement and scandals that have marred his leadership, such as parties at his Downing Street home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 1922 Committee, which brings together Conservative MPs without portfolios, will appoint its executive on Monday (11) and set out a timetable for the process with the UK in mind, with the formal run-up to the elections set to begin. A new head of government in early September.
As the leadership struggle continues, Johnson remains in charge of the British government. In addition to the nine candidates already announced, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is expected to present her nomination on Monday.
Although this process has not yet formally started, politicians have already started their campaigns, with tax cuts as one of the main promises.
In statements to the BBC, Hunt and Sajid both defended tax cuts, one of the Conservatives’ traditional measures, drawing on their experiences in the ministries they have worked in – Health and Foreign Affairs, the former and Economy and Health. In the second case.
Mordant announced his decision to run on Twitter, where he posted a video to signal that the Conservative leadership must change so that it focuses less on the leader’s personality and more on the issues facing the country.
Other candidates are also expected to release details of their proposals in the coming days. Politicians go through a series of votes, and candidates are eliminated until only two remain. The final decision will be made by the country’s party members, who will have to choose one of the two final candidates.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 committee, told LBC radio that he was confident the final two candidates would be in place by July 20 – before Parliament’s summer break.
“Now we have nine people in the race. I hope there will be at least a few more before the applications close on Monday and then the process will begin,” he added.
However, the Labor opposition on Sunday again argued that Johnson should leave immediately, rather than waiting for a new leader to be elected. If not, it is ready to file a motion of censure in Parliament to oust it.
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