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No Brexit general election if Boris Johnson wins Tory leadership No general election if Boris Johnson wins Tory leadership
(35 minutes later)
Boris Johnson will not call an immediate general election if he wins the Conservative party leadership election and takes over as prime minister, it is understood.Boris Johnson will not call an immediate general election if he wins the Conservative party leadership election and takes over as prime minister, it is understood.
Johnson is among a series of Tories about to formally launch their bids to replace David Cameron, with his main rivals to include the home secretary, Theresa May, and a joint ticket of Stephen Crabb, the pensions secretary, backed by Sajid Javid, the business secretary. Johnson is among a series of Tories about to formally launch their bids to replace David Cameron as nominations open on Wednesday, with his main rivals set to include the home secretary, Theresa May, and a joint ticket of Stephen Crabb, the pensions secretary, backed by Sajid Javid, the business secretary.
A source in Johnson’s team said the former London mayor, who has been busy seeking the support of high-profile women in the cabinet, believed the result of last week’s referendum was sufficient for him to start negotiating an exit from the EU without seeking a new mandate.A source in Johnson’s team said the former London mayor, who has been busy seeking the support of high-profile women in the cabinet, believed the result of last week’s referendum was sufficient for him to start negotiating an exit from the EU without seeking a new mandate.
MPs say Elizabeth Truss, the environment secretary, could throw her weight behind Johnson in the coming days, and that he has reached out to Amber Rudd, the energy secretary. It would be seen as a coup if Johnson, figurehead of the leave campaign, secured the backing of ministers who campaigned heavily in favour of remain in the EU referendum. Johnson’s move, which could potentially tempt some MPs into backing him in the hope they would thus avoid risking their jobs before 2020, came as the first hopefuls began to emerge.
Crabb has reportedly confirmed his decision to stand in an email to fellow Tory MPs. Javid, answering questions after a ministerial press conference, confirmed he would be supporting Crabb. It had been widely reported that the pair would stand on a joint ticket, with Javid as a proposed chancellor, though this has yet to be confirmed.
The pair, who both come from poorer backgrounds, are expected to frame their joint ticket as a way for the party to reconnect with voters in disadvantaged areas, including traditional Labour supporters now tempted by Ukip.
The biggest early efforts to sign up MPs were coming from Johnson and May, his perceived main rival.
MPs say Elizabeth Truss, the environment secretary, will throw her weight behind Johnson in the coming days, and that he has reached out to Amber Rudd, the energy secretary. It would be seen as a coup if Johnson, figurehead of the leave campaign, secured the backing of ministers who both campaigned heavily in favour of remain in the EU referendum.
Related: Stop Boris: can the Tories find a slightly less awful leader?Related: Stop Boris: can the Tories find a slightly less awful leader?
MPs have told the Guardian they believe Truss has been convinced, pointing out that despite her opposition to Johnson in the referendum, she used to work for his ally Michael Gove in the Department for Education. Johnson wants to demonstrate he can attract the support of remain campaigners and the liberal wing of the party, with early support from the skills minister, Nick Boles. But a number of female MPs, including those passionate about the party’s modernising agenda, have revealed they plan to back May’s campaign.
Rudd is also thought to be open to the idea of backing Johnson, despite clashing with him during the referendum campaign. In a televised debate, she described him as the “life and soul of the party, but he’s not the man you want driving you home at the end of the night”. One politician described May, who supported the remain campaign, as someone with the “work ethic of Thatcher” and said she was one of the few people with enough authority to carry the country into Brexit negotiations. Another said they never thought they would be taking her side, but were desperate to block a “Johnson coronation”.
Johnson wants to demonstrate he can attract the support of remain campaigners and the liberal wing of the party, with early support from the skills minister, Nick Boles. But a number of female MPs, including those passionate about the party’s modernising agenda, have revealed they plan to back Theresa May’s campaign. Few Tory MPs have come out publicly for anyone so far. Several cabinet ministers are insisting they have still to make up their mind, with some saying they will seek meetings with candidates before deciding.
One politician described May, the home secretary and remain supporter, as someone with the “work ethic of Thatcher” and said she was one of the few people with enough authority to carry the country into Brexit negotiations. Another said they never thought they would be taking her side, but were desperate to block a “Johnson coronation”. It comes as the Conservatives extended the timetable for the leadership contest by a week, with a new leader now due to be in place for 9 September, to give more time for party members to have their say.
It comes as MPs in the party have complained to the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee, Graham Brady, after government whips spent time canvassing support for May. The Guardian understands Brady has raised the issue with the party’s chief whip, Mark Harper, who is likely to suggest that anyone wanting to back a leadership campaign should stand down until the voting is completed. Nominations close at Thursday at midday, with candidates needing the support of only two other Tory MPs to join the race. The list will be whittled down to a final pair in a series of twice-weekly votes among MPs, with party members then voting on this final list.
The leadership contest, which closes for nominations on Thursday, has triggered a frantic atmosphere, with MPs rushing around trying to secure the support of colleagues for their preferred candidate. May supporters are each trying to speak to a number of designated MPs in a satellite operation.
Several cabinet ministers are insisting they have still to make up their mind, with some saying they will seek meetings with candidates before deciding.
Rumours swirling around Westminster suggest Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister who campaigned to leave the EU, could be a key figure who might herself run, but is also being courted by various candidates including May.Rumours swirling around Westminster suggest Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister who campaigned to leave the EU, could be a key figure who might herself run, but is also being courted by various candidates including May.
One list appeared to suggest the home secretary had the edge with numbers, followed by Johnson, but also revealed support for both Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, who is considering her position, and Crabb. One list appeared to suggest the home secretary had the edge with MP numbers, followed by Johnson, but also revealed support for both Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, and Crabb.
Crabb reportedly confirmed his decision to stand in an email to fellow Tory MPs. Javid, answering questions after a ministerial press conference on Tuesday, confirmed he would be supporting Crabb. It had been widely reported that the pair would stand on a joint ticket, with an emphasis on re-connecting the party to poorer areas. A source said Morgan was still making a final decision about whether to stand, but that if she did she would be a “one nation” candidate who would make the case for young people who have been hit by the EU referendum result and the financial crisis.
Former defence secretary Liam Fox has already confirmed himself as a candidate, while Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is also canvassing support. Hunt, who was involved in a long-running contract dispute with junior doctors that triggered five strikes, said he wanted the UK to secure continued access to the European single market. Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if he would pit himself against potential rivals such as Johnson and May, he said: “I am seriously considering it.”Former defence secretary Liam Fox has already confirmed himself as a candidate, while Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is also canvassing support. Hunt, who was involved in a long-running contract dispute with junior doctors that triggered five strikes, said he wanted the UK to secure continued access to the European single market. Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if he would pit himself against potential rivals such as Johnson and May, he said: “I am seriously considering it.”
Hunt’s declaration of a possible run came after the chancellor, George Osborne, ruled himself out, saying it was clear he could not provide the unity the party needed. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday, Osborne said “the country is going to be poorer” in the wake of last week’s referendum vote to leave the EU. “We need a plan as a country to get ourselves out of this, while respecting the decision of the British people,” he said.Hunt’s declaration of a possible run came after the chancellor, George Osborne, ruled himself out, saying it was clear he could not provide the unity the party needed. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday, Osborne said “the country is going to be poorer” in the wake of last week’s referendum vote to leave the EU. “We need a plan as a country to get ourselves out of this, while respecting the decision of the British people,” he said.
Osborne warned of the economic risks of leaving the EU and said he would do everything he could to steer the country through it, but said: “It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to explain what plan we would follow if we voted to quit the EU.”Osborne warned of the economic risks of leaving the EU and said he would do everything he could to steer the country through it, but said: “It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to explain what plan we would follow if we voted to quit the EU.”
Nominations for the race to succeed David Cameron open on Wednesday when backbenchers meet to approve the timetable for the contest, which is due to produce a new prime minister by 2 September.
Whoever ends up in No 10 will be faced with the task of extracting the UK from the EU, after Cameron said he would not initiate the process before handing over the reins, despite pressure from Brussels for a swift departure.