According to The Spectator, which cited data from Oddschecker, the UK’s Minister of State Trade Policy, and the recently-resigned Chancellor of the Exchequer, have odds of 22% each to be the next premier.
With Boris Johnson’s premiership in its definitive final stretch – the British media has reported that the embattled PM of the United Kingdom will step down today – all eyes will be on his successor, whose name is likely to be announced in a day or two.
Also Read: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agrees to resign amid pressure: Report
According to The Spectator, a weekly British magazine on politics, culture and current affairs, two candidates in particular have the highest chance of succeeding Johnson in 10, Downing Street. The London-based publication, citing data from Oddschecker, reported that Penny Mordaunt and Rishi Sunak, at 22% each, are bookies’ favourites to be the 78th premier of the UK.
While Mordaunt is the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Member of Parliament (MP) from Portsmouth North, Sunak, recently resigned as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and is among several Tory MPs who left Johnson’s government over the last few days.
Also Read: ‘I will not resign,’ says UK PM Boris Johnson | List of Tory MPs who quit govt
Meanwhile, secretary of defence Ben Wallace (17% odds) is next on the list, followed by foreign secretary Liz Truss and Sajid Javid, who resigned as resigned as health secretary (14% each). Sunak’s successor, Nadhim Zahawi, and Dominic Raab, the deputy PM, both came in at 13%. Tom Tugendhat (11%), Jeremy Hunt (10%) and Steve Baker (7%).
Also Read | What Boris Johnson’s mouser said on cabinet exodus as he agrees to quit as UK PM
It is to be noted that the numbers are from 9:42am local time. The contenders may slip up or down in the hours to come.
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‘Good news’: UK’s Labour party on PM Boris Johnson’s expected resignation
The leader of Britain’s main opposition Labour party, Keir Starmer, on Thursday said Boris Johnson’s expected resignation as prime minister was “good news”. Starmer, however, said just changing the leader of the Conservative party was not enough. Embattled PM Johnson agreed to step down as the Conservative Party leader, ending an unprecedented political crisis and triggering an election for a Tory leader who will go on to become the new premier.
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What Boris Johnson’s mouser said on cabinet exodus as he agrees to quit as UK PM
Larry the Cat, the chief mouser of 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister, took to Twitter to express its views on the current political crisis in the country. I’m not “Boris Johnson’s cat” 2. Like all Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson’s’s only a temporary resident of Downing Street 3. When he finally goes, I stay 4. Larry has completed 11 years roaming around the corridors of 10 Downing Street.
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UK’s Boris Johnson agrees to quit, will be ‘caretaker PM’ till October
British prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to remain as PM while the Conservative Party choose a new leader; an internal election will likely be in the summer, the BBC said, citing a 10, Downing Street source as saying a new leader should be in place by October. The PM will make a statement later today.
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Priti Patel conveys ‘general view’ to UK PM amid mass resignations: Report
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Give CAATSA waiver, deepen defence and energy ties with India: US Congressmen
In separate amendments to the National Defence Authorization Act, three US Congressmen have proposed that the US deepen defence ties with India, waive off sanctions that may be triggered by India’s acquisitions of Russian weapons under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), enhance the energy partnership with India, and work to reduce Indian dependence on Russian military equipment and energy sources and replace it with the US sources.