UK: Eight candidates compete for Boris Johnson’s seat as UK prime minister

Eight candidates will compete for the seat of British Prime Minister Boris Johnsonwho retired, cornered by a series of scandals, after gaining enough support to jump into the fray, announced on Tuesday Conservative Party.

As expected, the former Minister of Economy Rishi Sunakformer Minister of Defense Penny Mordaunthead of diplomacy Liz Truss and deputy Tom Tugendhat are among the candidates, announced the Committee of 1922, a conservative parliamentary group tasked with setting the rules for elections.

Among the candidates is also a new finance minister Nadhim ZahaviState Attorney General Suella Braverman, Former Secretary of State for Equality Kemi Badenoch, and Former Secretary of Health Jeremy Hunt.

All candidates received the support of 20 of their colleagues, the minimum threshold for contesting the leadership of the Conservative Party, which means downing streetsince the party is in the majority The House of Commons.

Johnson resigned on Thursday after a series of scandals and a wave of resignations in his government. However, he will remain in office until a successor is elected on 5 September.

United Kingdom: how will the application be made?

As of Wednesday, eight candidates must have the support of 30 MPs if they want to advance to the first round of voting. The second round will take place on Thursday, and if necessary, one more on Monday.

Eventually, only two candidates will remain to compete for the seat, and the final vote will be open to party supporters only.

Hours before the announcement, there were still eleven candidates left to fill Johnson’s seat; but three of them dropped out of the race, including former health minister Sajid Javid. Minister of Internal Affairs, Pretty Patelfinally ruled out his candidacy.

Bookmaker’s office Rishi Sunak Already Penny Mordaunt as the top two favorites, followed by Liz Truss.

UK: promises like tax cuts

During his campaign on Tuesday sunak He has avoided criticizing and “demonizing” Johnson, his former boss, whom he considers “one of the most extraordinary people” he has ever met.

Sunak, 42, resigned last week along with another minister in protest against the administration. Johnsonsurrounded by scandals.

His departure triggered a wave of resignations, culminating in the resignation of the prime minister. sunak currently under fire from supporters Johnsonwho accuse him of being the cause of his downfall.

So far, the campaign has been limited to a few bombastic videos, controversy and vague promises. Most candidates say they will cut taxes, but do not provide details on how they will finance their measures.

Zahavi, 55, believes there is a campaign to “denigrate” him after it was reported in the press that he was under tax investigation. The minister promised to publish his tax return every year if he is elected prime minister.

sunakhowever, was more cautious than its rivals about tax cuts in the face of high inflation: “It’s a question of ‘when’, not ‘if'” they will be implemented.

During his tenure as Minister of Economy D. sunak he was criticized for not doing enough to prevent the rising cost of living.

Vote of no confidence

The name of the future prime minister will be announced on September 5 after the vote of supporters Conservative Party.

But it is already too late for the opposition Labor Party. On Tuesday, he submitted a vote of no confidence in parliament, according to party sources.

The government, however, refused to allow time to discuss the initiative in parliamentwhich for Labor constitutes a “serious abuse of power”.

“Given that the Prime Minister has already resigned and the process is underway [para sustituirle]we don’t think this is a useful use of parliamentary time,” he said. Downing Street.

There is little hope that this proposal will win Tory support, as if approved, it will lead to a general election in which the Conservatives could lose the majority gained in 2019 thanks to popularity. Johnson.

(According to AFP)