- In order to gain the support of their fellow candidates, nearly all of the candidates have made bold tax cut promises.
- The new leader will also need to stem the tide of dwindling Conservative support.
- The British economy is struggling with heavy debt, rocketing inflation, and slow growth.
LONDON: The first votes in the crowded, unpredictable, and acrimonious race to succeed Boris Johnson will be cast this week, with the announcement of Britain’s new prime minister expected on September 5.
To date, 11 candidates have entered the race to succeed Johnson as prime minister and leader of the dominant Conservative Party. Johnson resigned following a spectacular uprising by his own legislators and ministers following a number of scandals.
To even get to the first round of voting on Wednesday, according to the 1922 committee of Conservative MPs, contenders must receive at least 20 nominations from the party’s 358 legislators.
Those who obtained fewer than 30 votes will be eliminated.
Graham Brady stated, “I am very keen we get this concluded as smoothly, cleanly, and rapidly as possible.”
Before the Conservative Party’s members, who number fewer than 200,000, cast their postal ballots during the summer, the field will be narrowed down by MPs to a final two contenders.
Penny Mordaunt, the former defence minister, was rated highest by members in a poll conducted on Monday for the Conservative Home website. She was followed in popularity by Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister, and Rishi Sunak, whose resignation as the finance minister contributed to Johnson’s downfall.
He added, “There seems to be a quite a big field at the moment, a lively contest. I hope we will have a very constructive contest, but (also) a really good opportunity for a proper, healthy, constructive debate about the future direction of the Conservative Party.”
The struggle for the top position follows one of the most turbulent episodes in contemporary British political history, during which more than 50 government ministers and advisers resigned, criticising Johnson’s moral character, honesty, and lack of candour.
The new leader will also need to stem the tide of dwindling Conservative support. According to a Savanta ComRes poll released on Monday, the opposition Labour Party has its largest poll advantage since 2013 with 43 percent to the Conservatives’ 28 percent.
The race for succession has already taken a personal turn.
Another candidate, former finance minister Sajid Javid, criticised what he called “poisonous rumours” and “attack memos” made over the weekend by some colleagues.
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