(UTV | UNITED KINGDOM) – Boris Johnson has announced that he will step down as British prime minister with the Conservative Party choosing a new leader who will be announced on Sept. 5, with 11 candidates so far saying they will stand in the leadership contest.
On Monday, the Conservative Party’s 1922 committee of backbench lawmakers finalized the process for the selection of the new leader. Members of Parliament (MPs) control the process of selecting a final two, whereupon the about 200,000 members of the Conservative Party get to vote.
The chair of the 1922 committee, Graham Brady, set out the timetable on Monday, as follows:
TUESDAY JULY 12 – NOMINATIONS, FIRST ELIMINATIONS
Nominations to be new leader of the Conservative Party formally open, and also close. Candidates must have the support of at least 20 lawmakers to advance.
WEDNESDAY JULY 13 – MORE CANDIDATES ELIMINATED
In this first round of voting, candidates must have the backing of at least 30 lawmakers to advance.
UP TO THURSDAY, JULY 21 – FURTHER BALLOTS
Brady said that there would be further rounds of voting by Conservative lawmakers until a final two was reached, saying it was likely the final two would be selected by early next week.
THURSDAY JULY 21 – PARLIAMENTARY RECESS
Lawmakers on the 1922 committee have said July 21 is the de facto deadline for the final two candidates to be selected by Conservative lawmakers, as it is when the House of Commons breaks for summer recess. Brady told, they would “certainly” have the final two by July 21.
JULY-SEPTEMBER – THE RUN-OFF
The two candidates campaign and hold hustings among Conservative party members to win their votes. The members vote by post. Brady said he wanted an assurance that those who reached the final two would not drop out, to ensure Conservative members would have a say.
SEPTEMBER 5 – NEW PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED
The Conservative Party announces who has been elected as the new leader of the party by members. As they will command a parliamentary majority, they will consequently become the next prime minister.