Three potential candidates are likely to be on the nomination list to replace outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, said nominations from MPs would be required for the candidate to make the list in an effort to speed up the electoral process. That according to Sky News on Friday 21st October has led to three candidates as bookmakers’ favourites.
The rule change means that only a maximum of three candidates can make the list, although there is a chance that only one will make it, in which case they will automatically become party leader.
In the last leadership election, Rishi Sunak won 137 nominations, Mrs. Truss 113 and Penny Mordaunt 105, although in the end eleven candidates received enough nominations to be included in the vote.
Sir Graham said nominations have opened immediately and will close at 2 p.m. Monday.
The plan is to have a new leader by October 31, when Liz Truss will step down.
If two candidates make the shortlist, an online vote will take place allowing attendees to cast their vote, however some MPs would prefer the election not be given to members given the recent fiasco. They worry that the party cannot afford a repeat of the Truss case.
It is possible that, to solve the situation, the parliamentarians will group around a single candidate, which means that it would not be necessary to vote.
The likely candidates
According to Sky News, the main candidates are Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson.
Johnson loyalists say he is mandated by the voters and the logical choice, however, having been removed from office for his indiscretions and rule-breaking, many do not see him as the obvious choice.
There are also concerns that it will be divisive, as the party lacks a unity candidate.
Sunak has strong support from his last campaign, as well as being right about Truss, however Mordaunt has proven himself a worthy opponent on parliamentary issues. Replacing him with Truss won’t have done him any harm.
No candidate has yet been declared, but that is expected to change in the next few hours, with three possible candidates, only 100 nominations for deputies will be required.