First modification:
In the United Kingdom, this Wednesday the Conservative Party’s first round of voting ended to elect Boris Johnson’s successor. Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak leads the list of ‘Tory’ deputies. Two of the eight candidates who presented themselves were eliminated in the dispute between the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It is expected to know the name of the future premiere interim before September 5.
This Wednesday the first screening of candidates to succeed Johnson was held in the British Parliament, where Rishi Sunak, the former Finance Minister, headed the list to become the future premiere and leader of the Conservatives. Sunak’s resignation was one of the most important in Johnson’s Cabinet and fueled the cascade of resignations that later led to the resignation of the outgoing prime minister.
Nadhim Zahawi, the new Finance Minister, and Jeremy Hunt, the former Health Secretary, were eliminated for not reaching the 30 votes needed to pass the cut. The final name of Boris Johnson’s replacement is expected to be known on September 5 after the voting rounds that will take place in the coming weeks.
After the elimination of two candidates, six legislators continue to play for leading the Conservative Party and a country that has been dotted with scandals, disputes and political divisions for months.
These were the first results of the voting
The 358 Conservative lawmakers met on Wednesday at the Palace of Westminster to cast their votes, and were forced to hand over their cell phones to ensure the security and secrecy of the vote.
On this day, the former head of the Treasury, Rishi Sunat, obtained 88 votes, followed by the Minister of Commerce, Penny Mordaunt, who obtained the second place with 67 votes. Gone are Chancellor Liz Truss, who got 50 votes; MP Tom Tugendhat; former Equality Minister Kemi Badenoch; and Attorney General Suella Braverman, who also remain on the ballot.
This Thursday new voting days will be held, until there are only two candidates left, who will face a second round. The name of the prime minister is expected to be announced on September 5, without the need to go through national elections.
The candidates are vying to replace Boris Johnson, who resigned last Thursday, July 7, amid a series of ethics scandals and an avalanche of resignations from ministers and lawmakers who pressured him to step down. While the name of his replacement is known, the 58-year-old politician will continue to perform his duties.
Diversity among the candidates
With three contenders from ethnic minorities and four women, the ‘Tory’ list has been surprisingly highly diverse. At the end of the war, the United Kingdom could have its first premiere black or the third female president.
On the one hand, Rishi Sunat is the son of Indian parents, who came to Britain from East Africa. MP Kemi Badenoch has Nigerian roots. And for their part, Suella Braverman’s parents come from Kenya and Mauritius.
They all offer similar promises on tax reduction issues, one of the most important issues in these elections. Sunak has presented himself as the “fiscal probability” candidate. He assured that the country needs “honesty and responsibility, not fairy tales” to overcome the post-pandemic crisis and the effects of the war in Ukraine.
A spokesman for Johnson has said the outgoing prime minister will remain neutral in the campaign to choose his replacement and denied his office was campaigning to badmouth Sunak after receiving allegations.
Johnson made a farewell note at his weekly ‘Questions to the Prime Minister’ session in the House of Commons, saying it would be his last appearance there, although a new session is scheduled next week before Parliament’s summer break.
“I’ll be leaving soon with my head held high,” Johnson said at the end of his speech.
with AP
Add Comment