Rishi Sunak has the support of 155 Conservative MPs, compared to 54 for Johnson and 25 for Mordaunt, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph.
With Johnson withdrawing and Mordaunt expected to withdraw, despite her insistence on fighting to the end, Rishi Sunak could be named as the new prime minister later today at around 2 pm GMT.
After Johnson is out of the race, more supporters are expected to join Sunak, who has been assured of the support of 155 candidates.
Johnson had said, earlier, that he had in fact the support of 102 MPs, and that he believed there was a “very good chance” of success in the leadership contest.
But the former prime minister added that continuing his bid for return “wasn’t simply the right thing to do”, citing the need to “unify” the party.
Understandably, he realized he could not achieve unity when key Tory figures such as former Home Secretary Suila Braverman and prominent Brexit supporter Steve Baker, both popular in the Conservative Party, lent their support to Sunak.
Last night there was no immediate response from Sunak’s camp, with a source reportedly saying the former chancellor was “not taking anything for granted” and that he would “continue to talk to colleagues” and “discuss how best to unite the party and move the country forward.”
This comes after Sunak appeared to advance further in the contest yesterday as he also won the support of Grant Shapps, who replaced Braverman as Home Secretary after her resignation this week, and Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith.
Armed Forces Secretary James Hebby also said Sunak “will bring our divided party together and restore stability to our government.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who wrote for the Telegraph, endorsed Sunak in an article comparing him to Winston Churchill for his willingness to tell “the truth”.
The leader of the House of Commons, Mordaunt, remains the only leader hoping to stand in his way, even declaring on Sunday “I’m on the way to win”, but the assertive statement came amid signs she is struggling to win supporters.
However, a source from Mordaunt’s campaign said last night: “Benny is still running to become Tory leader. Benny is the unifying candidate most likely to keep the Tory wings together.. and polls show she is the candidate most likely to retain the seats he has secured.” The Conservative Party in 2019″.
Ed Balls, shadow cabinet ministers and Labor advisers said Benny was the candidate Keir Starmer feared most.
However, she is not seen as a candidate for the right, so it is believed that she is unlikely to secure a significant number of Johnson supporters.
But despite her approval ratings well below the 100-support threshold, Mordaunt’s team insists she has dozens of MPs who have yet to declare their support for her as she appeals to Johnson’s supporters to get behind her campaign instead.
It is noteworthy that candidates need 100 nominations from Conservative Party MPs by 2 pm on Monday if they are to stay in the competition before the final vote for party members.
Mordaunt’s allies believe Johnson’s decision to withdraw from the race “will push her past the 100-support threshold”.
In other developments:
- Mordaunt allegedly rejected Mr. Johnson’s attempts to get her to withdraw from the race during a phone call.
- She is said to have told Johnson that the majority of her supporters were more likely to switch to Team Sunak, rather than support his return to the premiership.
- Johnson received public support from 57 lawmakers, but a WhatsApp message to his supporters last night said he had crossed the 100 mark.
- The letter, sent by Northern Ireland Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, said “all paperwork” had been completed to ensure he appeared on the ballot to replace Liz Terrass.
- But in a statement last night, Johnson said he withdrew from the race despite hitting the “big hurdle of 102 nominations”.
- Sunak praised Boris Johnson for “leading our country through some of the toughest challenges we have ever faced.”
- Former Chancellor George Osborne also praised Boris Johnson’s “welcome and reasonable call for judgment”.
- Pro-Johnson’s Nadine Doris has revealed her disappointment that he has pulled out, saying a general election is now inevitable.
Timeline of the Conservative Party leadership race
- Monday: Nominations close for the race, candidates who pass must have at least 100 Conservative MPs backing them.
- Monday 3:30 pm: First round of voting (if more than one candidate passes).
- Monday 6:00 pm: Announcing the results of the first vote. If 3 passes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated.
- Monday 6:30 p.m.: An “indicative” ballot is held if two candidates remain, one of whom may withdraw.
- Tuesday-Friday: If two candidates are successful, Conservative Party members have the opportunity to vote online.
- Friday: Final voting closes and new British Prime Minister announced.
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