Several Conservative members of parliament have put themselves forward to become the next prime minister after the current party leader Theresa May announced she would be stepping down last week. As soon as she announced she was resigning, MPs quickly declared their bid to be the next Prime Minister and the race to replace her began. But who has the most support among the Tories to replace Mrs May?
How is a candidate nominated?
The departing Prime Minister usually stays on in a “caretaker” role after announcing their resignation.
During her speech, Mrs May announced that she would be stepping down officially on June 7, but she will stay in her position until the party chooses a new leader to replace her.
This ensures that the country is not without a leader while a new Prime Minister is chosen.
To become Prime Minister, a candidate must be formally proposed and seconded by fellow MPs.
Under the terms of the Conservative party constitution, the 1922 Committee presents to the party “as soon as reasonably practical” a choice of candidates for the election of leader.
Tory leadership: Four candidates with the highest number of endorsements for leadership (Image: GETTY)
How is the winner picked?
A ballot of Tory MPs is held in which the candidate with the least support drops off the list.
This process is repeated until just two candidates remain.
Candidates who realise they do not command enough support to get on the ballot may also take the decision to withdraw from the race.
Once two candidates have been whittled down by MPs, the Conservative Party’s 150,000 members will get a vote to choose the winner.
Candidates will go head-to-head at hustings events around the country with their pitches to party members in the bid to win their support.
The candidate who attains more than 50 percent of the vote among Party members is then declared the Leader of the Party.
Tory leadership: Current Prime Minister Theresa May who will officially resign on June 7 (Image: GETTY)
Who has the most support among the Tories?
So far, these several MPs have announced their bid to be the next Prime Minister or have been publicly endorsed by other Tory:
Tory leadership: Candidates for Prime Minister as of May 26 (Image: STF/AFP/GETTY)
A list of the declared and undeclared supporters of these contenders has been unveiled on Conservative Party website.
In the lead is Jeremy Hunt with 28 endorsements.
He has been publicly supported by Tories such as joint Minister of State at the Foreign Office and Department of International Development Harriet Baldwin, assistant government whip Jo Churchill and Minister of State at the Foreign Office Mark Field.
Tory leadership: Jeremy Hunt has the highest level of Tory support (Image: GETTY)
The second most popular Tory candidate for Prime Minister is Boris Johnson with 24 endorsements.
The Uxbridge MP has the support of MPs such as former Chief Whip and Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Wiliamon, former Minister for Transport and London Jo Johnson and for Brexit minister David Jones.
Michael Gove closely follows in Tory popularity with 23 endorsements.
He has been endorsed by MPs such as former Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan, Sir John Hayes who has held five ministerial positions and six shadow ministerial positions during his career and former Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Ed Vaizey.
Tory leadership: The second most popular candidate is Boris Johnson (Image: GETTY)
Tory leadership: The third most endorsed candidate is Michael Gove (Image: GETTY)
The fourth candidate with the most support is Dominic Raab.
Mr Raab has been endorsed by 20 Conservative MEPs including former Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party Shailesh Vara, former Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire and another former Brexit Secretary David Davis.
Sajid Javid is the next candidate with the most support with 12 endorsements.
He has been supported by MPs such as former Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabbe, Sport and Civil Society Minister Mims Davies and vice-chairman of the Conservative Party for Policy Chris Skidmore.
Tory leadership: Former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is hoping to become Prime Minister (Image: GETTY)
Tory leadership: Sajid Javid was the ninth to announce his bid for Prime Minister on May 28 (Image: GETTY)
The sixth candidate is Matt Hancock and he has eight endorsements from Tory MPs.
His supporters include Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care Caroine Dinenage, former First Secretary of State Damian Green and former Minister of State in the Department of Health and Social Care Stephen Hammond.
The seventh candidate with six endorsements is Esther McVey.
Ms McVey has been publicly endorsed by MPs such as South West Devon MP Gary Streeter, Mid Derbyshire MP Pauline Lathan and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire MP Ben Bradley.
Tory leadership: Hopeful Matt Hancock wants to become the next Prime Minister (Image: GETTY)
Tory leadership: Former Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has thrown her hat into the race (Image: GETTY)
The next most supported MP vying for the Prime Minister spot is Mark Harper with four endorsements.
He has not yet officially declared that he is running but he has seven public Tory supporters.
These include Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett, St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double and Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall.
Andrea Leadsom is the ninth most supported MP with two endorsements including South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler.
Tory leadership: Mark Harper who has yet to formally declare that he is running (Image: GETTY)
Tory leadership: Andrea Leadsom says she can “reunite our great country” (Image: GETTY)
The tenth candidate is Rory Stewart also with two endorsements such as Banbury MP Victoria Prentis.
And the final candidates are Sir Graham Brady, who is said to be considering the position after stepping down as chairman of the 19922 Commitee, Kit Malthouse and James Cleverly who became the 10th and 11th candidates to confirm they are officially running yesterday.
Tory leadership: Rory Stewart is the tenth candidate vying to take on Mrs May’s job (Image: GETTY)
Tory leadership: Graham Brady who is said to be “considering” announcing a bid to replace Mrs May (Image: GETTY)
Tory leadership: Former Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse has announced he wants to become Prime Minister (Image: GETTY)
