Published Article

HeadlineWho are the potential candidates in a Tory leadership race?

Short HeadlineWho will be the next PM?

StandfirstSeveral potential candidates have already set out their leadership hopes in the the run up to May's resignation.

With senior cabinet ministers expecting Theresa May to resign today, a Tory leadership race looks imminent.

Several potential candidates have already set out their leadership hopes in the the run up to May’s resignation.

So far nine candidates have stated, or suggested, that they will put themselves forward for the job.

Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson is the current favourite to win the leadership race. He has already confirmed that he will stand, He told a business event “of course I’m going to run for it”.

Rory Stewart

Rory Stewart is the International Development Secretary. He official announced his intentions to run in an interview with the spectator last month. He said “if you want someone who really enjoys doing stuff and loves government and is really proud of the country and feel that’s their thing, I’m really enthusiastic”.

Andrea Leadsom

Strong Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom previously revealed that she is “seriously considering” running for the Tory leadership role. She has previously said that the a truly Eurosceptic Prime Minister would have delivered Brexit already.

Sajid Javid

The current Home Secretary is expected to be a popular candidate amongst colleagues. He has said that there will be “no shortage of candidates” for the leadership bid, and commented that people will “just have to wait and see” whether he chooses to run.

Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock is the current Health Secretary. He has not confirmed that he wishes to run, but has not ruled himself out either. He has however said that he has a “”strong view about the sort of leader we need”.

Ether McVey

Esther McVey has already resigned as Theresa May’s Work and Pensions Secretary over Brexit. She has hinted at a leadership bid, and has said the the next leader should be someone who “believes in Brexit”.

Amber Rudd

The Work and Pensions secretary has not ruled out running, and said that she is “keeping the door slightly ajar” to the possibility.

Jeremy Hunt

The Foreign Secretary has not announced an official bid yet, but there is speculation that he will.

Liz Truss

Liz truss is the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and has used social media to hint at a possible leadership bid. She said that the Conservative Party needs to “reinvent” itself.