Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the Conservative backbench 1922 committee, has announced that candidates aiming to replace outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss will need at least 100 nominations from fellow MPs to advance in the leadership election. Nominations are due by 14:00 on Monday.
This is a significant increase from the previous leadership election, where candidates only required a minimum of 20 nominations. Under the new rules, only three candidates will be allowed to run, and there will be just one hustings event held.
Several potential candidates have emerged in the race to become the next Prime Minister.
Rishi Sunak
MP Richard Holden, who represents North West Durham, has stated that Rishi Sunak will “certainly” run for leader again. In the recent leadership election, the former chancellor and defeated leadership candidate was the favourite among MPs.
Liz Truss’ reversal on a major tax cut announced by sacked chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng effectively meant the current government chose to maintain Sunak’s plans. The tax cuts would have nullified Sunak’s proposal to raise the corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% in April of next year.
Sunak benefits from being seen as a safe pair of fiscal hands after Truss’ policy reversal. However, he remains unpopular with some Conservatives on the right of the party, who view him as instrumental in Boris Johnson’s removal and criticise his large spending plans as contrary to traditional Conservative economics.
Penny Mordaunt
Reports suggest some MPs are considering a joint ticket featuring Penny Mordaunt to lead a new administration. The former defence secretary finished third in the Conservative leadership election and is a favourite among Tory MPs as well as a betting favourite.
Tory MP Crispin Blunt, who publicly called on the Prime Minister to resign, has proposed a leadership team centred on Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, and Jeremy Hunt.
Penny Mordaunt, the new Leader of the House of Commons, has described carrying migrants as her “dream” and “obsession.” She also ran in the leadership election and, despite being eliminated in the second round, secured the support of key MP Steve Baker, an influential figure on the party’s right wing.
Originally published by UKNIP.
