British Defense Minister Ben Wallace was one of the favourites to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He announced his decision to not stand for election to the Conservative Party leadership on Saturday, July 9. "After careful consideration, and discussion with my family and colleagues, I have decided not to enter the Conservative Party leader race," Ben Wallace posted on Twitter. He explained that he wanted the party to concentrate on the current task and "ensure security for the country."
After much thought and discussion with family and colleagues, I have decided not to run for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Thank you to all my colleagues in parliament and other members who pledged their support. 1/2
He expressed his gratitude to those who "pledged" their support and wished all candidates good luck. He added, "I hope that we can quickly concentrate again on the issues which we were elected." Four candidates have declared their candidacy since Thursday's announcement.
The party's state suggests a very open race. Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, and Sajid Javid, former Minister of Health are serious rivals. None of them have declared their independence yet. Rishi Sunak, Sajid Javid, and Boris Johnson were among the first to leave government on Tuesday night. The hero of Brexit had suffered a political fatal hemorhage from these two simultaneous resignations.
Many other candidates have entered the race for the succession with lower chances of success. Kemi Badenoch, former Secretary of State for Equality, called for reform and said that the current rhetoric was empty. So she joins Suella Braverman, who is the attorney general and responsible for legal advice to the government, and Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In total, there are expected to be fifteen applications. Given the possibility of such an influx, it is possible to increase the number of votes and sponsorships required for the first part in the nomination process. Geoffrey Clifton Brown, treasurer of 1922 Committee and in charge of internal organization of the party, spoke on Times radio. This is so that the two finalists are known in two weeks before the start of the summer parliamentary truce, which will be on the 22nd.
According to British media, the vote of members of the Conservative Party (160,000 votes during the last internal election in 2019) to choose between them would be held by the beginning of the school year. The executive office of 1922 Committee must also be renewed Monday. He will be the one to set the rules and the timeline. Boris Johnson announced his resignation on Thursday. He stated that he would remain in Downing Street until a new leader of the party is elected. Many voices have called for his immediate departure and the establishment a interim.
