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Boris Johnson or Rishi Sunak invited to be the next UK prime minister According to Reuters


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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak step out into Downing Street, in London, Britain, December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

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By William James and Elizabeth Piper

LONDON (Reuters) – Boris Johnson and former finance minister Rishi Sunak spearheaded potential candidates to replace British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday, with candidates campaigning in support to become leader. Lead the Conservative Party in a fast-tracked election.

Truss, selected by party members to succeed Johnson after he was ousted by lawmakers in July, quit on Thursday after six weeks of tumultuous rule.

Those who want to replace her must secure 100 nominations from Conservative lawmakers on Monday to enter a runoff the party hopes will reset its ailing fortunes.

With opinion polls suggesting the Conservatives would be wiped out if a national election were held now, the race would be to become the fifth British prime minister in six years. An election will not be held for two years.

The winner will be announced the following Monday or Friday.

In an unusual comeback, Johnson, still a favorite among party members, was touted alongside Sunak as a likely candidate.

“He can turn things around again. And I’m sure my colleagues hear that message loud and clear,” conservative lawmaker Paul Bristow told LBC radio. “Boris Johnson could win the next general election.”

But Johnson, who has left office comparing himself to a Roman dictator twice brought to power to fight crises, may not reach the 100-nomination threshold after his term as prime minister is extended. His three years were marred by scandals and allegations of misconduct.

The Financial Times said Boris’ return would be a “strange” one.

One of his former advisers, who no longer spoke to Johnson and requested anonymity, said he was unlikely to hit the target, alienating dozens of Conservative lawmakers.

Will Walden, who also worked for Johnson, said the former leader is returning from vacation and receiving compliments.

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted his support, using the hashtag “#Borisorbust”.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has ruled out the run and said he is leaning in favor of Johnson, who led the party to a majority at the 2019 national election.

Sunak, a former Goldman Sachs (NYSE 🙂 favorite, followed by Johnson.

In third place is Penny Mordaunt, a former defense secretary popular with party members, who came in third last time. No one has officially announced their candidacy.

A Reuters tally of Conservative lawmakers who have publicly declared support put Sunak in 54 supporters, Johnson at 29 and Mordaunt at 16.

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Britain’s shortest incumbent Prime Minister, Truss, has resigned after her economic plans were rejected by investors, the pound and soaring borrowing costs forced a turn in favor of a finance minister. after she fired her closest political ally.

On Thursday, the scene of another unpopular prime minister giving his resignation speech in Downing Street – and the start of a new leadership race – underscored how volatile British politics have been since the vote. Brexit 2016.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel believes that Brexit has brought instability to Britain.

“I hope that they will settle down soon because even if they are no longer family members, they are still friends and neighbors. We need them and they need us,” he told the reporters on arrival at the EU summit in Brussels.

The Conservatives have a large majority in parliament and can ignore calls for an election, but opposition parties, several newspapers and even some of its own lawmakers have said that tri should now have a say.

Labor leader Keir Starmer said: “The Tories (Conservative Party) cannot react to their latest disturbances by simply clicking their fingers and shuffling the tops without consent. of the British people”.

“It’s not up to them to put the country through another test.”

Some Conservative lawmakers have urged colleagues to rally around a candidate to minimize bruising.

Sunak, who has warned that Truss’ financial plan threatens the economy, remains unpopular with some party members after he helped trigger an uprising against Johnson.

Mordaunt is seen as a fresh face, largely uncontaminated by previous administrations but also untested.

The next leader will inherit an economy headed for recession, with interest rates rising and inflation above 10%, leaving millions facing a squeeze on the cost of living.

Surveys on Friday showed UK shoppers tempered spending aggressively and brought their confidence levels near record lows, while public debt figures were worse than expected for see the economic challenges ahead.

A spokeswoman for Truss said work was continuing under a slated financial plan laid out on October 31, but her successor would decide whether to proceed.

Whoever takes over must climb the mountain to restore the party’s reputation.

Political scientist John Curtice told LBC: “Will the leadership change be enough to make the Conservatives truly electorally credible.

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