With Boris Johnson poised to step down as leader of the Conservative Party, the focus is on who could succeed him as prime minister.
There will likely be a number of potential candidates for the top job, including many who reflect the changing face of the Conservative Party – someone who is more representative of the population of the country they serve – but here are some that are considered favorites to take the helm of the party.
Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt, 55 years old, former secretary of state Mr Johnson defeated in the final party leadership contest, at one point was the bookies’ favorite for the top job. After failing the leadership contest in 2019, he moved to the backseat of Congress, criticizing the government’s approach to the Covid pandemic as chairman of the Health Care Choices Committee and Society. His past as a supporter of staying in the European Union could hurt him with Conservative Party members, although he says he now supports Brexit.
Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak, 42 years old, former prime minister of Exchequer who resigned on Tuesday dealt a heavy blow to Mr Johnson, long seen as a potential party leader, widely known for his role in delivering aid packages to businesses and individuals during the pandemic. . But he got hurt politically this year by controversies over his wealthy wife’s tax status and the news that he himself had continued to hold a US green card, allowing him to live and work in the United States, for many months after he became Britain’s top financial officer.
Liz Truss
Liz Truss, 46 years old, who was appointed by Mr. Johnson as secretary of state last year, is seen as a rising political star. Her support of sanctions against Russian oligarchs at the start of the war in Ukraine was cheered by the public. But she also expressed strong support for Mr Johnson following the departures of two ministers from his cabinet on Tuesday, so it remains to be seen whether that loyalty can damage her in terms of political or not.
Nadhim Zahawi
Nadhim Zahawi, another rising star of the Conservative Party, is preoccupied with the departure of Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson appointed him prime minister of the Exchequer hours after Mr Sunak stepped down, but on Thursday morning he revealed he had tried to persuade Mr Johnson to step down and publicly urged the prime minister to “go now” .”
Mr. Zahawi, 55, was previously education secretary and served as vaccine minister during the height of the pandemic. He was born in Iraq in 1967 and immigrated to Britain with his family in the 1970s when Saddam Hussein came to power.
Sajid Javid
Sajid Javid, 52, the former Health Secretary, whose departure on Tuesday with Mr Sunak helped spark government resignations, has held several cabinet positions under Mr Johnson and others. predecessors Theresa May and David Cameron.
Mr. Javid is the son of Pakistani immigrants whose parents came to Britain in the 1960s. He became the first black, Asian or ethnic minority to hold the post of domestic secretary when he was appointed to the UK. that role in 2018, and unlike many other Conservative lawmakers, he comes from a humble background: His father was a bus driver.
Other potential candidates
A survey of Conservatives by polling firm YouGov on Thursday found their favorite candidates would be Ben Wallace, Britain’s defense secretary for the Ukraine war, and Penny Mordaunt. , a former Defense Secretary and prominent Brexit supporter who is now Trade Secretary. policy.
However, party members were only chosen between a pair of candidates that were ultimately chosen by party lawmakers in a series of ballots and it was not clear whether Mr Wallace and Ms Mordaunt would appear in the final two candidates. same or not, if they actually choose to run.
Britain’s attorney general, Suella Braverman, said on Wednesday she would also “put my name in the box” when Mr Johnson stepped down; She had previously urged him to do so, though not resigned. Ms. Braverman, as an attorney defending the Home Office in immigration cases, was appointed attorney general in February 2020, after becoming a lawmaker five years earlier.
