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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?
(17 days later)
Either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will become the UK's next prime minister when the final stage of the Conservative Party leadership contest concludes early next month. Either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will be announced as the UK's next prime minister when the final stage of the Conservative Party leadership contest concludes on Monday.
A vote among the party's membership is deciding the winner, who will be announced on 5 September. The winner is decided by a vote among the party's members, who make up less than 1% of the UK population.
The campaign
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss are taking part in 12 hustings events around the UK - where they are being questioned about their policies.
The events are open to Conservative members and are being streamed on the party's website. Journalists can attend - but can not ask questions.
Who will pick the next Tory leader and prime minister?Who will pick the next Tory leader and prime minister?
Conservative Party members are picking the winner.Conservative Party members are picking the winner.
The candidate they vote for will automatically become prime minister, as the leader of the party with a majority in the House of Commons.The candidate they vote for will automatically become prime minister, as the leader of the party with a majority in the House of Commons.
To be able to vote, members must have joined the party on or before 3 June. To try win the members' support, Mr Sunak and Ms Truss have spent the summer taking part in hustings events around the UK, where they have been questioned about their policies.
The events were open to Conservative members and were streamed on the party's website. Journalists were allowed to attend - but couldn't ask questions.
Ms Truss pulled out of a BBC One interview with Nick Robinson which was due to air on Tuesday evening, after her team said she could no longer spare the time for the one-on-one programme.
Rishi Sunak was interviewed by Robinson on 10 August.
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How does voting work?
To be able to vote, Conservative members must have joined the party on or before 3 June 2022.
Eligible members can vote by post - or online.Eligible members can vote by post - or online.
Initially they were to have been allowed to change their mind so that only their second vote - either online or by post - would count. Watch: Conservative party members spoke to the BBC at a campaign event in Norwich
Watch: Conservative party members spoke to the BBC at a campaign event in Norwich
Originally they were going to be able to vote twice, with only their second vote - cast either online or by post - counted.
But after the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, warned there was a risk that a foreign state could try to interfere in the process, the party decided that members would be allowed to vote only once.But after the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, warned there was a risk that a foreign state could try to interfere in the process, the party decided that members would be allowed to vote only once.
It's not clear how many members there are - political parties don't have to give precise numbers.It's not clear how many members there are - political parties don't have to give precise numbers.
However, about 160,000 people were eligible to vote during the last Tory leadership election in 2019. The party says that number has since grown.However, about 160,000 people were eligible to vote during the last Tory leadership election in 2019. 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?
The ballot of party members closes at 17:00 BST on 2 September. The ballot of party members closes at 17:00 BST on Friday 2 September.
The winner will be revealed on 5 September by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbench MPs. The winner of the leadership contest will be revealed on Monday 5 September by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbench MPs.
We could know the new prime minister sooner if either candidate drops out. Boris Johnson is expected to announce his resignation to the Queen the following day, with his successor appointed by the monarch shortly afterwards.
This happened in 2016 when Andrea Leadsom withdrew from the race, leaving Theresa May as the only remaining candidate. Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds
Watch: The 1922 Committee explained in 90 seconds
Is Boris Johnson still PM?
Constitutionally, there must be a prime minister at all times. So Mr Johnson remains in post until his successor takes over.
Normally a new prime minister is invited to Buckingham Palace to be appointed by the Queen - on advice of the ruling party.
However, in a break from tradition, the Queen will instead stay in Balmoral and both Mr Johnson and the new PM will travel to Scotland and meet her there.
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What powers does Boris Johnson still have?
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 substantial new policies, and promised his cabinet that he would not make any "major changes of direction".
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 was Boris Johnson's track record as PM?
What does the prime minister actually do?
What happens when you stop being prime minister?
Will there be a general election?
When a prime minister resigns, there isn't automatically a general election. When Theresa May took over from David Cameron in 2016, for example, she decided not to call an immediate election.
If the new prime minister chooses not to call an early election, the next one will have to be held by January 2025 at the latest.
Could there be an early election?
How were the final two candidates selected?How were the final two candidates selected?
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: The Conservative Party's 357 eligible MPs held a series of votes. The candidate polling the lowest number was eliminated in each round, until only two remained:
Former Chancellor Rishi SunakFormer Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Foreign Secretary Liz TrussForeign Secretary Liz Truss
The six candidates knocked out were:The six candidates knocked out were:
Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt (fifth ballot)Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt (fifth ballot)
Former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch (fourth ballot)Former Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch (fourth ballot)
Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat (third ballot)Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat (third ballot)
Attorney General Suella Braverman (second ballot)Attorney General Suella Braverman (second ballot)
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi (first ballot)Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi (first ballot)
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (first ballot)Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (first ballot)
Will there be a general election?
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.
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?
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.
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 PM.
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Do Tory leadership tax pledges add up?
What powers does Boris Johnson still have?
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 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.
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?