Candidates line up to replace Johnson

Opposition could call no confidence vote if PM refuses to go immediately

A total of nine candidates have so far put their names forward to be the next leader of the British Conservative Party following Boris Johnson's announcement last week that he is to stand down.

Johnson says he intends to remain in charge as a caretaker prime minister until the Conservative Party's membership votes on who should replace him, although this suggestion has drawn widespread criticism, and the opposition Labour Party have said they will call a no confidence vote on Johnson's leadership in Parliament this week, which could potentially trigger a general election.

The nine candidates announced so far include former health secretary Sajid Javid and former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak, whose double resignations in quick succession last Tuesday evening began the political avalanche that forced Johnson out of office.

Jeremy Hunt, who lost out to Johnson in the 2019 leadership election to succeed Theresa May, has also joined the race, along with Transport Minister Grant Shapps and Attorney General Suella Braverman.

Nadhim Zahawi, who Johnson appointed chancellor last Tuesday, only for Zahawi to call for his resignation 36 hours later, is also standing, as is Minister for Trade Penny Mordaunt.

The other two candidates who declared so far are former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch, and Tom Tugenhadt, who, as a member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling since 2015, has served as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee since 2017. He is the youngest person ever to hold the post.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is also expected to run, but has not yet declared her candidacy. She has been seen as one of the top candidates to become the next prime minister.

The contest will formally begin on Monday when the rules are set out, with nominations being open on Tuesday, and the first shortlisting round, which will be conducted by Conservative members of Parliament, happening on Wednesday.

While the domestic political agenda is dominated by the internal affairs of the Conservative Party, Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has told the BBC that Johnson's removal from office sooner rather than later is "in the national interest … I actually think it's really damaging, him clinging on now.

"We need a change from the last 12 years, not the last 12 months."

If Johnson does remain in Downing Street, as he has given every indication that he will, she said Labour would push ahead with a vote of no confidence as soon as possible.

This would put Conservative MPs who last week publicly called for Johnson to go in an awkward position, as they would then have to go on record as backing him, or potentially bring about an election where some of them may lose their seats.