Who will replace Boris Johnson? The elections in Parliament drag on and expectations grow

The race for conservative leadership and the next British Prime Minister, following the hasty resignation of Boris Johnsoncontinued this Thursday. Six candidates were voted on at 11.00 UK time and the results were announced at 15.00. In this second round Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has won again with 101 votes and according to Penny Mourdant, with 83 votes.

On this tour, Suella Braverman, a Brexitier and prosecutor who did not reach 30 votes. The military and former veteran of Afghanistan Tom Tugendhat with 32 votes, Chancellor Liz Truss with 64 votes and Brexitier Kemu Badenoch with 49 votes are still in the running.

Voting will continue on Monday. but they have not yet decided on “the leader by acclamation,” which Boris Johnson announced Wednesday in the House of Commons.

A decision that would accelerate the replacement of the Prime Minister and would not be on 5 September, as was announced a few days ago.

The televised debates among the candidates they begin on Friday, according to the calendar of the 1922 Committee, the highest party authority.

On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak, ex chancellor finance, won with 88 votes. Penny Mordaunt finished second after Rishi Sunak in the first vote of Conservative MPs. Suella Braverman won 32 and Tom Tugendhat 37.

This last vote shows youA new electoral dynamic and a realignment of votes compared to Wednesday. We need to see where the votes are Brexitier Kemu Badenoch, those of Tom Tugendhat and those of Chancellor Liz Truss at the next vote.

Sunak, who appears to be among the last two candidates, said Thursday he believes in “hard work and aspiration”.

He told Radio 4’s Today program: “If I’m prime minister, I’ll vigorously defend him.” He then called “to unite the country” and recognized Boris Johnson’s “big heart” and his greatest respect for him.

Countryside

Rishi Sunak began his campaign for conservative leader and prime minister by promising not to demonize Boris Johnson. He warned that it was “not credible” for his rivals to offer tax cuts and higher spending.

The 42-year-old former official said he was the candidate willing to have an “adult conversation” about the economy. His plan is to tackle inflation, stimulate growth, and then cut taxes.

It was introduced by Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister, a big name sponsor along with Grant Shapps, the transportation secretary, who resigned from participating in the race.

Raab said that “Rishi has what it takes” and that he was “a true conservative”, when Sunak confronted claims by his rivals that he had “a socialist economic policy” over Covid subsidies.

Raab said that “only Rishi can beat Labor” as the campaign sought to present Sunak as the best chance for the Tories in the upcoming general election.

Reconciliation

Sunak began his speech with unexpected praise for the prime minister, whom he helped to overthrow.

“Boris Johnson is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” he said. “He has a“ good heart ”and he argued:“ Does he have any flaws? Yes. And the rest of us too. Did he no longer work? Yes. And that’s why I stopped. But let me be clear, I will not take part in a rewrite of history that seeks to demonize Boris, exaggerate his failures or deny his efforts, “he said.

The tribute seems meant to counter the allegations of unfairness of Johnson’s allies, as well as reuniting the party if he wins.

There are realignments of those disqualified from voting. Former foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, disqualified on Wednesday, joined Rishi’s ranks, angering his supporters.

Liz, the new Boris?

Chancellor Liz Truss is also in the running. She said she was “ready to be prime minister from day one” when she formally launched her speech this morning at the head of the Conservative Party.

The foreign minister, third in Wednesday’s leadership vote with 50 votes, pledged to “make Britain a booming economy over the next ten years” and put finances on an “upward trajectory” by 2024.

Promising to cut taxes, tackle energy costs and curb public spending, Truss, who is called Boris II for his unpredictability, said, “We have to be honest with the public. It will be difficult, it will take time. but I am determined to respect “.

Asked if she was too associated with Boris Johnson, Truss said she was a “loyal person”. That’s why you didn’t resign when other cabinet colleagues did.

The official said he spoke privately against the planned increase in national insurance. “The change we need to achieve is a change in the economy,” he said.

He promised he would “review household taxes to ensure that people are not penalized for taking time to care for children or elderly relatives.”

“The dancing queen”

Former military and MP Tom Tugendhat has pledged to keep fighting in the Tory leadership contest. He said participating made him feel like a “prom queen”.

The chairman of the foreign affairs committee is languishing in the race for leadership, behind favorites Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss.

On Wednesday, the support of 37 Conservative MPs was secured to reach the second round of the competition. He had hoped to avoid a late post later, allowing him to advance to the televised debates, which begin Friday.

Tugendhat held a question and answer session with reporters. “I’m not giving up,” he said. “Many people are considering their options today and think differently.”

He, who has no ministerial experience, also defended Lord Frost and Simon Clarke’s right to attack Penny Mordaunt’s record in the government after the couple criticized her lack of diligence as a minister.

Tom Tugendhat rejected claims of courting climate change skeptics in the Conservative Party.

“If Jenny is applying for a position like this, it is right that those who know her speak up. Some of them will be nice and some of them not, “she said.

Tugendhat also reaffirmed its commitment to the government’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The leading member of conservative parliamentary group One Nation surprised many when he appeared to support the postponement of the deadline in an election campaign Wednesday night, in a move interpreted by some as an attempt to appeal to the right wing of the Conservative party.

Tugendhat, 49, denied “showing a leg” to climate change skeptics at the party. “I have a lot of legs to show, but when you get to my age, nobody wants to see them,” he said.

Controversy on trad

Penny Mordaunt’s stance on trans rights may be her biggest obstacle win the votes of his colleagues in the ballot on Thursday.

Mordaunt previously said she believes trans women are women. But at the beginning of her campaign she posted a thread on Twitter, late at night, trying to set the record right after being charged.

On Thursday, Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister, launched a stinging attack on Penny Mordaunt, his former vice president in EU negotiations and a favorite of the Tory militants as prime minister.

She said she had “serious reservations” about becoming a favorite to lead the Conservative Party, wondering if she would be able to “make tough decisions.”

Paris, correspondent

CB