The Conservative leadership contest is named after Boris Johnson announced his intention to resign on July 7, following a mass exit of Tory MPs from government posts. The 1922 Tory Party Committee announced that the leadership contest would begin today, and the next prime minister will be announced on September 5.
Before the first round of voting took place, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt were voted favorites by pollsters.
A YouGov poll released today found that Conservative Party members supported Ms Mordaunt with 27 percent of the vote to land the top job in Downing Street.
The second favorite, according to the poll, is Kemi Badenoch with 15 percent, and Mr Sunak is third with 13 percent.
Candidates like Nadhim Zahawi and Suella Braverman are considered outsiders in the race.
READ MORE: Where does Penny Mordaunt live now? In the life of the ‘outsider’
Mr Sunak and Ms Morduant were the favorites before the first round of voting, and they have comfortably placed in the top two.
Mr Zahawi, who was appointed Chancellor by the Prime Minister, has been eliminated from the contest after just 25 votes.
Mr Hunt received the fewest votes, 18, and was now able to support Ms Mordaunt after supporting him in the 2019 Tory leadership contest.
Mrs. Truss received 50 votes, but is still far behind the second and first choice.
More updates coming soon…