Field narrows to replace UK PM Boris Johnson as nominations close: and then there were 8
- Of the 11 original hopefuls, ex-finance chief Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss are among those securing enough support for the first ballot
- Former health secretary Sajid Javid fails to make the cut, a surprise casualty after his resignation last week helped bring down the prime minister
Nominations in the race to replace British Prime Minister Boris Johnson closed on Tuesday, with eight Conservative lawmakers securing enough support from their colleagues to make the first ballot.
Former health secretary Sajid Javid, whose resignation last week helped bring Johnson down, was a surprise casualty, failing to make the cut.
Candidates needed backing from at least 20 fellow legislators to be on the ballot for run-off votes, which will start Wednesday.
The successful contenders include former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt and backbench lawmaker Tom Tugendhat. Also on the ballot are Treasury chief Nadhim Zahawi, ex-equalities minister Kemi Badenoch and former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.
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Javid quit the race on Tuesday after failing to get the 20 supporters. He said serving in government had been “a true privilege”.