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Race to be new UK prime minister begins | Race to be new UK prime minister begins |
(32 minutes later) | |
The race to become the next Conservative Party leader has begun, following Theresa May's announcement that she will step down next month. | The race to become the next Conservative Party leader has begun, following Theresa May's announcement that she will step down next month. |
The contest will not only result in a new party leader, but also in the next prime minister of the UK. | The contest will not only result in a new party leader, but also in the next prime minister of the UK. |
Party bosses expect a new leader to be chosen by the end of July. | Party bosses expect a new leader to be chosen by the end of July. |
Mrs May confirmed on Friday that she will resign as party leader on 7 June, but will continue as PM while the leadership contest takes place. | |
She agreed with chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, that the process to choose a new leader should begin the week after she stands down. | |
Four candidates have confirmed their intention to stand: | Four candidates have confirmed their intention to stand: |
However, more than a dozen more are believed to be seriously considering running - including Sir Graham, who has resigned as chair of the 1922 Committee. | However, more than a dozen more are believed to be seriously considering running - including Sir Graham, who has resigned as chair of the 1922 Committee. |
Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has ruled herself out, telling the Daily Telegraph: "I don't think it is my time at the moment." | Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has ruled herself out, telling the Daily Telegraph: "I don't think it is my time at the moment." |
She also hinted that she could work with Mr Johnson in the future, saying: "I have worked with him before... we were able to work together." | |
On Friday, Environment Secretary Michael Gove - another possible candidate - declined to say whether he would stand, saying it was "the prime minister's day". | On Friday, Environment Secretary Michael Gove - another possible candidate - declined to say whether he would stand, saying it was "the prime minister's day". |
Most bookmakers have Mr Johnson as favourite, in front of former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Mr Gove. | Most bookmakers have Mr Johnson as favourite, in front of former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Mr Gove. |
Tory MPs have until the week commencing 10 June to put their name forward, and any of them can stand - as long as they have the backing of two parliamentary colleagues. | Tory MPs have until the week commencing 10 June to put their name forward, and any of them can stand - as long as they have the backing of two parliamentary colleagues. |
The candidates will be whittled down until two remain, and in July all party members will vote to decide on the winner. | The candidates will be whittled down until two remain, and in July all party members will vote to decide on the winner. |
The Conservative Party had 124,000 members, as of March last year. The last leader elected by the membership was David Cameron in 2005, as Theresa May was unopposed in 2016. | The Conservative Party had 124,000 members, as of March last year. The last leader elected by the membership was David Cameron in 2005, as Theresa May was unopposed in 2016. |
Announcing her departure in Downing Street, Mrs May urged her successor to "seek a way forward that honours the result of the referendum". | Announcing her departure in Downing Street, Mrs May urged her successor to "seek a way forward that honours the result of the referendum". |
She added: "To succeed, he or she will have to find consensus in Parliament where I have not. | She added: "To succeed, he or she will have to find consensus in Parliament where I have not. |
"Such a consensus can only be reached if those on all sides of the debate are willing to compromise." | "Such a consensus can only be reached if those on all sides of the debate are willing to compromise." |
Mr Johnson told an economic conference in Switzerland on Friday that a new leader would have "the opportunity to do things differently". | Mr Johnson told an economic conference in Switzerland on Friday that a new leader would have "the opportunity to do things differently". |
Outlining his Brexit position, he told the conference: "We will leave the EU on 31 October, deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal." | Outlining his Brexit position, he told the conference: "We will leave the EU on 31 October, deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal." |
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have also begun their search for a new leader after Sir Vince Cable confirmed he would hand over the reins on 23 July. | Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have also begun their search for a new leader after Sir Vince Cable confirmed he would hand over the reins on 23 July. |
Sir Vince announced in March that he would stand down after the local elections in May, but after a strong performance from the party some questioned whether he would stay on. | Sir Vince announced in March that he would stand down after the local elections in May, but after a strong performance from the party some questioned whether he would stay on. |
However, in a statement on Friday, he said: "We have rebuilt the Liberal Democrats. I will be proud to hand over a bigger, stronger party." | However, in a statement on Friday, he said: "We have rebuilt the Liberal Democrats. I will be proud to hand over a bigger, stronger party." |