The first MPs hope to have reduced the search for Boris Johnson’s successor, who will be announced on September 5, to two possibilities in the coming days.
former chancellor Rishi Sunakminister of commerce Penny MordauntMinister of Foreign Affairs Liz Trusssenior backbencher Tom Tugendhat and former minister of equal treatment Kemi Badenoch will face each other in Sunday’s second debate.
Attorney General Suella Braverman, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and former Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt were eliminated in the first two rounds of voting.
Here’s a timetable for the rest of the leadership contest.
– Sunday 17 July: Second debate. ITV will host a televised debate at 7pm.
– Monday, July 18: Third ballot. The vote on Monday and subsequent rounds on the following days will eliminate the candidate with the fewest votes until only two are left – who will then move on to a vote by mail of party members.
Bob Blackman, co-executive secretary of the 1922 Committee, said the aim was to have the contest down to a final two by Thursday, before the MPs’ summer break.
He told Sky News: “We need to get the list of candidates down to two pretty soon.
“And all we want to do is make sure we have two candidates on Thursday, July 21.
“That means we’ll be holding a succession of votes over the next few days to get into that position.”
– Tuesday 19 July: Third debate at 8 pm. Sky News’ Kay Burley is scheduled to host the debate.
– Friday, July 22 and beyond: Hustings will take place across the country throughout the summer to help party members determine their choice of the new Conservative leader.
Mr Blackman said it is a “condition for nomination” for candidates to agree to contest the vote of party members if they reach the final two.
This is to avoid a situation like in 2016, when Dame Andrea Leadsom pulled out and handed over leadership undisputedly to Theresa May before party members had a chance to vote.
– Monday, September 5: New Conservative leader announced. The new prime minister will be announced on September 5, when MPs return to Westminster from their summer break.