This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62068930

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Tory leadership: How will the new party leader and PM be chosen? Tory leadership: How will the new party leader and PM be chosen?
(about 5 hours later)
The Conservative Party's leadership contest is down to three MPs after the latest round of voting. Either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will become the UK's next prime minister after reaching the final stage of the Conservative party leadership contest.
The eventual winner will replace Boris Johnson as the party leader and the UK's next prime minister. The winner will be announced on 5 September following a vote by party members.
How do the Conservatives elect a new leader? How will the next PM be chosen?
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. Mr Sunak and Ms Truss will now take part in a series of husting events around the country where they will be questioned about their policies.
Of the eight candidates who entered the race, three remain: A televised debate between the two candidates is already confirmed - BBC One will host Our Next Prime Minister at 21:00 BST on 25 July.
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak At the end of the process, Conservative Party members will pick the winner in a vote. The person they select will automatically become prime minister.
Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt It's not clear how many members there are - political parties don't have to give precise numbers.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss However, about 160,000 people were eligible to vote during the last Tory leadership election. The party says that number has since grown.
The five who have already been knocked out are:
Former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch
Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat
Attorney General Suella Braverman
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt
The fifth round of voting - which will determine the final two candidates - is set for Wednesday with the result due in the afternoon.
BBC to host TV debate for last two Tory candidatesBBC to host TV debate for last two Tory candidates
The surprising joviality of Tory leadership votes
Who could be the next prime minister?
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?Who are the Tories that will choose the next PM?
When will we know who will be the new PM?When will we know who will be the new PM?
Under the current rules, we will know by 5 September at the latest. The ballot of party members will close on 2 September and the winner is due to be revealed on 5 September.
The result will be announced by Sir Graham Brady, who is chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers. The result will be announced by Sir Graham Brady, who is chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbench MPs.
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 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.
Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds How were the final two candidates selected?
Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds The Conservative Party's 357 eligible MPs held a series of votes over the past week. The candidate polling the lowest number was eliminated in each round, until only two remained:
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss
The six candidates knocked out were:
Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt (fifth ballot)
Former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch (fourth ballot)
Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat (third ballot)
Attorney General Suella Braverman (second ballot)
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi (first ballot)
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (first ballot)
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.
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?
Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds
Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds
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.
The surprising joviality of Tory leadership votes
Who could be the next prime minister?
Do Tory leadership tax pledges add up?
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 substantial new policies, and has promised his cabinet that 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 does the prime minister actually do?
What happens when you stop being prime minister?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.