Former PM Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak lead race to be UK’s next prime minister

A selection of the front pages of British national newspapers showing the reaction to the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss, at a newsagents in central London, Friday. Pic/AP

Boris Johnson and his former finance minister Rishi Sunak were leading the potential contenders to replace British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday, with candidates canvassing support to become Conservative Party leader in a fast-tracked contest.

After Truss quit on Thursday, ending her six weeks in power, those who want to replace her were trying to find the 100 votes from Conservative lawmakers needed to run in a contest which the party hopes will reset its ailing fortunes (candidates need the signatures of 100 of the 357 Conservative lawmakers). With the Conservatives all but facing a wipe out in the next national election, according to opinion polls, the race is on to become the fifth British premier in six years. The winner will be announced on either Monday or Friday next week.

In what would be an extraordinary comeback, Johnson, who was ousted by lawmakers just over three months ago, was running high up the ranks alongside Sunak to be crowned the next prime minister. "I think he's got that proven track record to turn around things. He can turn it around again. And I'm sure my colleagues hear that message loud and clear," Conservative lawmaker Paul Bristow said of Johnson on LBC radio. "Boris Johnson can win the next general election," he said.

Johnson, who left office comparing himself to a Roman dictator brought into power twice to fend off crises, might face difficulty in reaching the 100 votes after his three-year tenure was blighted by scandals and allegations of misconduct.

Also Read: Rishi Sunak holds firm as bookies' favourite to replace Liz Truss as UK PM

One of his former advisers, who no longer speaks to Johnson and requested not to be identified, said he was unlikely to reach the target, having alienated dozens of Conservatives during his scandal-ridden tenure. The Financial Times newspaper, which called for a new election, said a Boris comeback would be "farcical".

The contest began on Thursday, hours after Truss stood in front of her Downing Street office to say she could not go on. Sunak, the former Goldman Sachs analyst who became finance minister just as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Europe and was runner-up to Truss in the previous leadership contest this summer, is favourite with bookmakers, followed by Johnson. Running in third is Penny Mordaunt, a former defence minister popular with party members. None have formally declared their candidacy. The new leader is due to be selected by Oct. 28.

Oct 28
When the new leader is due to be selected

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever