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Brokenshire: Tory leadership candidates should drop out | Brokenshire: Tory leadership candidates should drop out |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Some candidates in the Conservative leadership contest should consider pulling out, Housing Minister James Brokenshire has said. | Some candidates in the Conservative leadership contest should consider pulling out, Housing Minister James Brokenshire has said. |
The communities secretary, who is not running himself, says the party needs to find a new leader fast. | The communities secretary, who is not running himself, says the party needs to find a new leader fast. |
Theresa May steps down on Friday and 13 Conservative MPs so far have put themselves forward to succeed her. | Theresa May steps down on Friday and 13 Conservative MPs so far have put themselves forward to succeed her. |
Former Chancellor Ken Clarke called the contest a "shambles" and said there were too many people running. | Former Chancellor Ken Clarke called the contest a "shambles" and said there were too many people running. |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the race was "in danger of becoming a rather tragic farce unless some order is brought into it". | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the race was "in danger of becoming a rather tragic farce unless some order is brought into it". |
Currently, MPs only require the backing of two parliamentary colleagues to stand in the leadership race. | Currently, MPs only require the backing of two parliamentary colleagues to stand in the leadership race. |
Senior Conservatives will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss whether to change the rules so potential candidates need more supporters to begin their bid. | Senior Conservatives will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss whether to change the rules so potential candidates need more supporters to begin their bid. |
A final decision will be made by the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee on Tuesday. | A final decision will be made by the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee on Tuesday. |
After nominations close, all 313 Conservative MPs will vote for their preferred candidate in a series of polls that will whittle down the contenders one by one. | After nominations close, all 313 Conservative MPs will vote for their preferred candidate in a series of polls that will whittle down the contenders one by one. |
Some MPs are keen to reduce the number of hopefuls swiftly, since the wider Tory membership of 124,000 will only vote on two candidates. | Some MPs are keen to reduce the number of hopefuls swiftly, since the wider Tory membership of 124,000 will only vote on two candidates. |
Mr Brokenshire said those "unlikely to get over the first fence" should drop out, insisting there was "no embarrassment in standing down at this point". | Mr Brokenshire said those "unlikely to get over the first fence" should drop out, insisting there was "no embarrassment in standing down at this point". |
He added: "We don't have the luxury of time and we need to get on with it." | He added: "We don't have the luxury of time and we need to get on with it." |
Nigel Evans, joint secretary of the 1922 Committee, told BBC's Politics Live he favoured a proposer and seconder, plus 10 MPs, to nominate a leadership candidate. | |
"That may get the number down to a manageable proportion," he said. | |
Tory MP Phillip Lee called the legitimacy of the contest into question, claiming there had been a "significant influx" in new members over the past year. | |
The pro-Remain backbencher, who lost a vote of no confidence by his local Conservative Association, told Today that some had been former members of other parties, including the far-right BNP. | |
Meanwhile, candidates are continuing their pitches to become the next Tory leader - and prime minister - especially when it comes to their plans for Brexit. | |
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told Today he still wanted to leave the EU with a deal, but would be prepared to exit without one "as a last resort [and] with a heavy heart". | |
Mr Hunt said he believed a new deal could be done with the EU before 31 October - the deadline for Brexit. | |
The EU has consistently said it is not willing to re-open the current withdrawal agreement negotiated between the bloc and Mrs May, despite it being voted down by MPs three times. | |
Who will replace Theresa May? | Who will replace Theresa May? |
The winner of the contest to lead the Conservative Party will become the next prime minister. | The winner of the contest to lead the Conservative Party will become the next prime minister. |
Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has launched a campaign video on Twitter, showing him discussing issues with voters on the doorstep - such as leaving the EU at the end of October with or without a deal, and bringing back police stop-and-search powers. | Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has launched a campaign video on Twitter, showing him discussing issues with voters on the doorstep - such as leaving the EU at the end of October with or without a deal, and bringing back police stop-and-search powers. |
In his weekly Telegraph column, Mr Johnson also outlined a plan to spend at least £5,000 on every secondary school pupil, promising to correct the "yawning funding gap" between schools in London and the rest of the country. | In his weekly Telegraph column, Mr Johnson also outlined a plan to spend at least £5,000 on every secondary school pupil, promising to correct the "yawning funding gap" between schools in London and the rest of the country. |
Former Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey described how she would take money from the international aid budget to put into public services. | |
She told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire that cuts to services - some of which she oversaw as a minister - were needed after the 2010 general election for the country "to get back on its feet", but it was now time for a "nimble leader who can change things when they need to be changed". | |
As a result, Ms McVey said she would put an additional £4bn into schools and £3bn into police. | As a result, Ms McVey said she would put an additional £4bn into schools and £3bn into police. |
Over the weekend, other candidates made more announcements for their campaigns, including: | Over the weekend, other candidates made more announcements for their campaigns, including: |
The backstop is the policy within the withdrawal agreement which aims to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland in case of a no-deal Brexit. | The backstop is the policy within the withdrawal agreement which aims to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland in case of a no-deal Brexit. |
The EU has said it is a key part of the withdrawal agreement, which it is not willing to reconsider or subject to a time limit. | The EU has said it is a key part of the withdrawal agreement, which it is not willing to reconsider or subject to a time limit. |