The 1922 Committee of non-ministerial Tory MPs in parliament yesterday laid out a timeline for the party’s leadership elections. Following the discussions, Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, said that the new Prime Minister, who will replace Boris Johnson, will be announced on September 5.
Nominations from interested candidates will be accepted on Tuesday itself. The chosen candidate will be announced by the parliament when the summer break ends on September 5. It is believed that candidates will be shortlisted to just two by July 21. The joint-executive secretary of the 1922 Committee, Bob Blackman, said that this process would be quick and decisive, with the first ballot to be on Wednesday and the second on Thursday.
According to sources, ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak and ex-health minister Sajid Javid are in the race for the post. When these two quit their positions, it triggered a series of resignations, eventually leading to Johnson’s downfall. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Sunak’s successor Nadhim Zahawi have also declared their interest. Home Secretary Priti Patel, who was once considered Johnson’s close associate, might also nominate herself. However, a recent survey shows that there is strong support for less high-profile candidates like former defense minister Penny Mordaunt and arch-conservative Kemi Badenoch.
