nAfter announcing the withdrawal Boris Johnson The field of interested caliphs is expanding more and more. Over the weekend, several other politicians announced their candidacy for the Conservative Party leader, who would also be the next prime minister. It now appears that dozens of candidates could try their luck before the deadline. However, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace also lost to a candidate.
Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, who appeared on social media with a professional video, has received the most attention so far. The determination (and early acquisition of the field) raised suspicions that his nomination had been prepared for too long and shed new light on his resignation, which on Tuesday led to a series of resignations and with it a political end for Johnson. Newspapers in Downing Street, where Johnson wants to stay in office until his successor is elected, reported that his supporters wanted to prevent the “traitor” from winning. Anonymous “briefings” were also circulated against other candidates, using derogatory references and rumors.
The 42-year-old Sunak, in the music line video, which dealt with his Indian family’s immigration history, presented himself as a “serious candidate for tough times”. “Do we face this moment with honesty, seriousness and determination, or do we tell ourselves fairy tales that will make us feel better now but will make our children poorer in the future?” he asked. This was interpreted as an attack on Johnson, who wanted to cut taxes and expand state aid at the same time.
Sunak’s commitment to budgetary discipline sets it apart from nearly all of its competitors. Most promise drastic tax cuts, including former ministers Sajid Javed and Jeremy Hunt, as well as current Treasury Secretary Nadim Zahawi, whose nomination has been overshadowed by reports that he is under investigation for tax evasion. Outside candidates Tom Tugendhat, Soyla Braverman, and Kimi Badenok also campaigned for greater citizen relief.
Will the successor be decided before the summer break?
In addition to tax policy, political culture emerges as a topic for nominating candidates. After a foreign minister close to Johnson was filmed fingering protesters outside Downing Street, several candidates spoke out about the politicians’ behaviour. Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps called for “high standards of decency towards all”. In her video, candidate Penny Mordaunt fought off the appropriation that has advanced further under Johnson. “It should be less about the guide and more about the ship,” the passage said. Thus, Mordaunt refrained from appearing in person and only showed himself in a photo at the end of the video.
Secretary of State Liz Truss and possibly Home Secretary Priti Patel are also expected to run in the coming days. The unusually high proportion of women and politicians of immigrant background is surprising. The procedures and timetable for the elections will not be announced until the beginning of this week. The conservative faction’s responsible “1922 Committee” said at the weekend that the field would be reduced to two candidates by July 21 at the latest. If the runner-up subsequently withdraws his nomination, the change of cabinet could occur before the summer recess. Otherwise, Conservative Party members may have to elect their new leader by postal ballot by early September.
