Leading candidates to replace Liz Truss as UK prime minister include key figures in her cabinet as well as former opponents for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Some analysts have even speculated that Boris Johnson, who stepped down as prime minister in the summer, could return.
Add to that uncertainty: Even the process of choosing a new leader is underway as Ms Truss announced she would be replaced in just a week. Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative Party lawmakers’ committee, left some scenarios open and said party members would be consulted, but he offered some details.
But Jeremy Hunt, who was appointed chancellor of the Exchequer last week and is credited with restoring some economic stability, does not appear to be among Ms Truss’ possible successors. The BBC reported on Thursday that he would not run for party leader.
Here are some potential candidates:
Rishi Sunak, former prime minister beaten by Mrs. Truss
Mr Sunak, 42, served as prime minister of the Exchequer under Prime Minister Boris Johnson and is seen as his most likely successor.
But he finished second in the party leadership race ahead of Ms Truss, hampered by his links to Covid spending, tax increases and Britain’s cost of living crisis, as well as his share. in removing Mr Johnson. Many party members came to say they were sorry.
Mr. Sunak, the son of an Indian immigrant who was educated at Oxford and Stanford, has been seen as an example of a more multi-ethnic and modern Britain. But two scandals this year tarnish his reputation.
His wealthy wife was found to have claimed a tax status that would allow her to pay no taxes on some of her income. It was later revealed that Mr. Sunak continued to hold his green card, allowing him to live and work in the United States for months after he became prime minister.
Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Representatives
Ms Mordaunt, 49, became the leader of the lower house of Parliament after briefly emerging as a candidate this summer Conservative Party Leadership Competition, won by Ms. Truss. At the time, Ms Mordaunt’s rapid ascent alarmed some critics, who said she had not been tested and qualified to be prime minister.
The daughter of a paratrooper serving in the Royal Navy Reserve, Ms Mordaunt was Secretary of Defense for two and a half months in 2019 and held a lower cabinet post in charge of international development.
People who have worked with Ms. Mordaunt describe her as charming and sincere but uninterested in the intricacies of policy. She also has little experience in economics, just as Britain struggles to maintain its economic prestige.
Boris Johnson, former prime minister
Supporters of Mr Johnson, 58, quickly urged him to enter the contest to get his old job back, just months after he was forced to resign over a series of ethics scandals.
Having won a resounding victory in the 2019 election, Mr Johnson can at least claim he has the duty to lead the country without holding a new general election, but his appointment as prime minister comes as a surprise. would again be a big risk for the Conservative Party.
Not only is he a divisive figure among voters, but he is also being investigated by a powerful parliamentary committee into whether he misled lawmakers about Downing Street’s lockdown parties. And it is far from certain that his return to power will be welcomed by the recently stabilized financial markets.
However, using the hashtag #bringbackboris, the newly appointed international trade minister, James Duddridge, wrote on Twitter: “I hope you enjoyed your boss’s holiday. Time to go back. Some problems at the office need to be resolved. “
Ben Wallace, Secretary of Defense
Mr Wallace, 52, a former soldier, is believed to be the top choice among Conservatives to succeed Mr Johnson. But he decided not to seek the prime ministership, admitting that walkie talkie in September: “I don’t want it enough.”
He said he supported Ms. Truss in the party runoff, in part because she had promised to increase military spending. He was a staunch supporter of Ukraine in the wake of Russian aggression and travel to Kyiv in September to meet his Ukrainian counterpart.
Mr Wallace, who opposes Brexit, has previously served as minister of security and economic crime, minister of Northern Ireland and whip assistant.
Suella Braverman, former home secretary
Ms. Braverman, 42, is seen as a black horse candidate. She is a hardliner, hostile to moves to allow more immigration into Britain, and previously served as attorney general.
She has fired by Mrs. Truss as home secretary on Wednesday after admitting that she committed a technical breach of email security rules. But in her resignation letter, she said she was “concerned about the direction of this government”, alleging that the government had breached its promises to voters and especially failed to refrain from entering the country. reside.
Braverman is the daughter of Kenyan and Mauritian immigrants. Last year, while still attorney general, she made headlines when she became the first British cabinet official to receive paid maternity leave without resigning, after Parliament changed a law forcing her to do so. .
