Four new high-ranking contenders for the succession of UK PM entered the race on Saturday and Sunday, including the former health minister Sajid JavidoBringing down the number of applicants to nine.
Last to launch Sunday morning, Secretary of State for International Trade Penny Mordaunt, 49 years old. This former naval reservist, who in 2019 was the first woman to hold the position of defense minister, emphasized the need for public debate to focus on the “vessel” to “rotate around the leader a little less”.
Also the candidate was the new Finance Minister nadim zahavi and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Health, Jeremy HuntWho took on Boris Johnson in 2019 for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
He was preceded by the current British Secretary of State for Transport, while Defense Minister Ben Wallace chose not to attend. former finance minister Rishi Sunki He is one of the veterans to enter the race.
months of competition
Two days after the resignation of 58-year-old Boris Johnson, weakened by scandals and overwhelmed by the resignation of Rishi Sunak, has caused, among others, his potential successors to continue to reveal their intentions.
The contest that would open up for the Tories, with the head of the Conservative Party, and therefore Downing Street, having a majority in the House of Commons, could go on for several months.
Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shappsannounced his candidacy, promising a “strategic” and “quiet” government. A veteran MP who debuted in former Prime Minister David Cameron’s cabinet in 2010, he is not one of the favorites in the polls.
Not more than three other candidates have also declared, former Secretary of State for Equality Cami Badenochattorney general Suella Braverman and deputy tom tugendata,
Former finance minister still favorite?
On the other hand, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, 42, was the first prominent supporter to launch his candidacy on Friday in an especially polished video, to the point of fueling suspicions of long-crafted candidacy and betrayal.
In the clip that clocked seven million views on Saturday, Rishi Sunak promised to “restore faith”, “rebuild the economy and reunite the country”.
A longtime favorite to enter Downing Street if Boris Johnson collapses, Rishi Sunak finds himself quite vulnerable a few months earlier following the revelation of the advantageous tax position enjoyed by his wealthy wife, which has left him foreign to UK tax. Allowed to evade tax on income. officials.
In the United Kingdom, plagued by inflation at its highest level in 40 years (over 9%), they also faced a response deemed inadequate by public opinion in the face of the cost of living crisis.
The announcement of his candidacy, for which many lawmakers immediately rallied, apparently created a rebound: a poll on Friday for Channel 4 of 493 party members put him the Conservatives’ preferred candidate ahead of Foreign Minister Liz Truss (21%). (25%) given. ) who have not yet declared themselves.
Ben Wallace retires from running
Yet Boris Johnson’s faithful sage could not digest Sunak’s attitude, financial Times Evoking “enormous anger” towards him within the outgoing prime minister’s team on Saturday.
Rishi Sunak was one of the first to leave the government on Tuesday night, apparently along with Health Minister Sajid Javid, without even informing Boris Johnson. These two near-simultaneous resignations had started a politically fatal bleeding for the hero of Brexit.
Another heavyweight who was one of the favourites, on the other hand, Defense Minister Ben Wallace, decided not to appear on Saturday.
Despite many supporters and a prominent role in British policy towards Ukraine, Ben Wallace explained that he wanted to focus on his current task and “ensure the security of the country”.
The final vote of Conservative Party members – 160,000 voters in the 2019 final internal election – will then take place by the start of the school year, according to the scenario emerging in the British press.
Announcing his resignation, Boris Johnson said he intended to remain in Downing Street until a new party leader was elected.
Original article published on BFMTV.com