The head of the governing Conservative Party in the UK, Boris Johnson, has resigned. He made his decision public on Thursday, July 7, during a press address outside of his official residence at 10 Downing Street.
Johnson, who took office three years ago, found himself increasingly surrounded owing to the scandals within his party. He repeatedly apologized to the parliament for “partygate,”or the drinking parties that took place at Downing Street when the nation was under total lockdown.
People are speculating about who will replace Johnson as the head of the government and the next prime minister of the United Kingdom. Here are the candidates that have a strong chance of getting the top post.
A list of candidates who can succeed Boris Johnson
1. Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak was the UK’s first Hindu chancellor of the exchequer. However, he quit on Tuesday, 5th July, citing numerous issues and scandals within the government. He has been the favorite to succeed Johnson but his prospects are dented by questions over his private wealth and family’s tax arrangements.
Sunak, 42, is well-known on social media and has received praise for boosting the economy throughout the pandemic. He gained popularity following his retirement from the Johnson administration.
2. Jeremy Hunt
In 2019, Boris Johnson defeated Jeremy Hunt (55), the former foreign and health secretary.
Hunt launched a barely veiled campaign message for a new leadership candidacy last month, asserting that under Johnson, “we are no longer trusted by the electorate” and that “we are set to lose the general election.”
However, he is not as charismatic as Johnson is and his pre-pandemic record as health secretary was criticized by a Johnson ally.
3. Liz Truss
Liz Truss, the 46-year-old foreign secretary, is well-liked among her Conservative Party counterparts. She is admired for her candor and willingness to engage in political attacks but that has also raised concerns about her judgment, such as when she urged Britons to fight in Ukraine in February. Her leadership stance, according to critics, is too blatant.
4. Sajid Javid
The former health secretary in Johnson’s government, Javid, was among the names of high-profile people that quit on Tuesday. He previously resigned as finance minister in 2020.
He also faces questions regarding his personal wealth and tax affairs, the same way Sunak does.
5. Ben Wallace
The 52-year-old defense secretary is seen as being straightforward and having a professional demeanor. Owing to his role in the Ukraine crisis, he topped the polls of Tory grassroots’ preferred next leader. He was previously an army officer.
6. Nadhim Zahawi
The position of finance minister has just been given to Zahawi. He received recognition in the past for overseeing the UK’s distribution of pandemic vaccines.
Former Iraqi refugee Zahawi came to Britain as a young child without knowing any English. He co-founded the well-known polling firm YouGov before going into politics.
7. Tom Tugendhat
The 49-year-old former army officer serves as the chair of the powerful Foreign Affairs Committee of parliament. There is no love lost between Tugendhat and Johnson supporters, notwithstanding his declaration that he will run in any leadership election.
He has criticized how the administration has handled the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan and is practically a hawk on China.
8. Penny Mordaunt
Mordaunt, 49, is a junior trade minister and the first woman to serve as UK defense secretary. The reservist from the Royal Navy is viewed as likely to run but by a long shot.
She was a significant player in the 2016 “Leave” campaign and a fervent Brexit advocate. She has been mentioned as a potential unity candidate who could win over the warring factions of the Conservative party.
9. Dominic Raab
Dominic Raab, 48, who is also the justice secretary and deputy prime minister, was in charge of the nation in 2020 when Johnson was receiving intensive treatment due to COVID-19.
But after initially failing to cut short a vacation as the Afghan capital of Kabul fell to the Taliban, his relocation to justice from the position of foreign secretary was perceived as a demotion.