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Tory leadership: How will the new party leader and PM be chosen? Tory leadership: How will the new party leader and PM be chosen?
(6 days later)
Suella Braverman has been eliminated from the Conservative Party leadership contest after finishing last in the second round of voting. The Conservative Party's leadership contest is down to three MPs after the latest round of voting.
Five candidates remain in the race to be the next leader - and prime minister - after Boris Johnson's dramatic resignation. The eventual winner will replace Boris Johnson as the party leader and the UK's next prime minister.
How do the Conservatives elect a new leader?How do the Conservatives elect a new leader?
Candidates could only enter the race if they had the backing of 20 Tory MPs. The Conservative Party's 357 eligible MPs are holding a series of votes. The candidate polling the lowest number is eliminated in each round, until only two remain.
Eight candidates secured enough support: Of the eight candidates who entered the race, three remain:
Former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch
Attorney General Suella Braverman
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt
Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt
Former Chancellor Rishi SunakFormer Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt
Foreign Secretary Liz TrussForeign Secretary Liz Truss
The five who have already been knocked out are:
Former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch
Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom TugendhatForeign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat
Attorney General Suella Braverman
Chancellor Nadhim ZahawiChancellor Nadhim Zahawi
The 358 Tory MPs are holding a series of votes over the coming days until only two candidates remain. Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt
In the first round, candidates required 30 votes to remain in the contest. Nadhim Zahawi and Jeremy Hunt did not reach the threshold and were eliminated. The fifth round of voting - which will determine the final two candidates - is set for Wednesday with the result due in the afternoon.
In subsequent rounds, the candidate with the fewest votes is knocked out. Rounds of voting continue until only two candidates remain. BBC to host TV debate for last two Tory candidates
In round two, Suella Braverman finished last with 27 votes and was therefore eliminated.
When only two contenders remain, a series of husting events will be held around the country, after which Conservative party members will pick the winner in a postal vote. The person they select will automatically become prime minister.
Political parties don't have to say how many members they have. However, about 160,000 people were eligible to vote during the last Tory leadership election. The party says that number has since grown.
Who could be the next prime minister?Who could be the next prime minister?
Do the people choosing the next PM think like you? Diverse line-up in race for PM signals Tory shift
When will we know the new PM? Do Tory leadership tax pledges add up?
What happens when only two Conservative candidates remain?
The final two candidates will take part in a series of husting events around the country where they will be questioned about their policies.
At the end of the process, Conservative party members will pick the winner in a postal vote. The person they select will automatically become prime minister.
Political parties don't have to say how many members they have. However, about 160,000 people were eligible to vote during the last Tory leadership election. The party says that number has since grown.
Who are the Tories that will choose the next PM?
When will we know who will be the new PM?
Under the current rules, we will know by 5 September at the latest.Under the current rules, we will know by 5 September at the latest.
The result will be announced by 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady. The result will be announced by Sir Graham Brady, who is chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers.
We could know the new prime minister sooner if one of the final two candidates drops out and is not replaced. In this case there would be no postal vote among party members.We could know the new prime minister sooner if one of the final two candidates drops out and is not replaced. In this case there would be no postal vote among party members.
This happened in 2016 when Dame Andrea Leadsom withdrew from the race, leaving Theresa May as the only candidate.This happened in 2016 when Dame Andrea Leadsom withdrew from the race, leaving Theresa May as the only candidate.
However, Sir Graham says he is "keen" that party members get to vote this time.However, Sir Graham says he is "keen" that party members get to vote this time.
Do Tory leadership tax pledges add up? Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds
Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds
Will there be a general election?Will there be a general election?
Not necessarily. When a prime minister resigns, there isn't automatically a general election.Not necessarily. When a prime minister resigns, there isn't automatically a general election.
However, the government has said it will introduce a confidence motion in itself after it previously rejected the one proposed by the Labour Party.
If a simple majority of MPs votes in favour of it, then there could be a general election.
This scenario is unlikely to happen, though, because it would require the support of dozens of Conservative MPs.
The latest an election can be held is January 2025, but the new prime minister could choose to call an election before then.The latest an election can be held is January 2025, but the new prime minister could choose to call an election before then.
Could there be an early election?Could there be an early election?
Is Boris Johnson still PM?Is Boris Johnson still PM?
Yes. Despite standing down as leader of the Conservative Party, Mr Johnson is still the prime minister.Yes. Despite standing down as leader of the Conservative Party, Mr Johnson is still the prime minister.
Constitutionally, there needs to be a prime minister at all times. So Mr Johnson remains in post until his successor takes over.Constitutionally, there needs to be a prime minister at all times. So Mr Johnson remains in post until his successor takes over.
That will happen when a new Tory leader has been appointed.That will happen when a new Tory leader has been appointed.
Once Mr Johnson has officially resigned, the newly-elected leader will be invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen who - on the advice of the ruling party - appoints a new prime minister.Once Mr Johnson has officially resigned, the newly-elected leader will be invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen who - on the advice of the ruling party - appoints a new prime minister.
What powers does Boris Johnson still have?What powers does Boris Johnson still have?
Until he goes to the Queen and formally resigns, in theory Mr Johnson keeps all his powers.Until he goes to the Queen and formally resigns, in theory Mr Johnson keeps all his powers.
However, in reality, he lacks the authority to introduce any substantial new policies, and has promised his cabinet he will not make any "major changes of direction".However, in reality, he lacks the authority to introduce any substantial new policies, and has promised his cabinet he will not make any "major changes of direction".
He will still represent the UK abroad, and can continue to make public appointments or changes to his team of ministers.He will still represent the UK abroad, and can continue to make public appointments or changes to his team of ministers.
One of his final acts in office is likely to be awarding knighthoods and appointments to the House of Lords in his resignation honours list.One of his final acts in office is likely to be awarding knighthoods and appointments to the House of Lords in his resignation honours list.
What does the prime minister actually do?
What happens when you stop being prime minister?
How did Conservative MPs enter the leadership contest?
Candidates had to secure the backing of 20 Tory MPs to be allowed into the contest's first round, in which they then needed 30 votes to progress.
Nadhim Zahawi and Jeremy Hunt failed to reach this threshold and were eliminated in the first round.