ories rush to take sides in the race to become the next prime minister Rishi Sunak stated that he had his sights set on the top job.
Former Minister of Equal Treatment Kemi Badenoch would be the last to throw in her hat, with a plan for a smaller state and a government “focused on the essentials”.
Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Steve Baker has supported Attorney General Suella Braverman’s campaign, despite previously saying he was seriously considering giving himself up for the top position.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Liz Truss is also widely expected to run for leader.
Tory MPs Chloe Smith and Julian Knight both expressed support for the senior cabinet minister on Friday, although she has not yet made a bid.
Ms Smith said Ms Truss is “the right person to move our country forward”, while Mr Knight said she would “keep on the promise we have made to our constituents”.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely also told BBC Newsnight that he believes Ms Truss is most likely to provide “clarity of leadership”, and he suspects she will announce her candidacy over the weekend or early next week – although that is “up to her” is.
Mr Baker, a prominent Brexiteer, had told the PA news agency that Tory blog ConservativeHome “consistently put me in their top 10 for the next prime minister, they sometimes put me in their top five”.
But he said it would be “very difficult” to convince colleagues to support him for the party-wide vote without cabinet experience.
On Friday night, he tweeted: “I was considering going for leadership. My priorities were delivering on our manifesto with our mandate, cutting taxes and getting through Brexit.
“Fortunately, I don’t have to stand anymore. @SuellaBraverman will deliver on these priorities and more.”
Earlier, Mr. Sunak announced his bid for the leader on Twitter, saying, “Let’s restore confidence, rebuild the economy and reunite the country.”
His move came when allies of former Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt, who came second to Boris Johnson in 2019, said he was “almost certain” to rise again this time.
Among those who publicly support Mr Sunak are the leader of the House of Commons Mark Spencerformer Tory party co-chair Oliver Dowden, former head whip Mark Harper, ex-ministers Liam Fox and Andrew Murrison, and MPs Sir Bob Neill and Paul Maynard.
The former chancellor released a glossy launch video detailing his family history, saying: “Our country faces enormous challenges, the most serious for a generation.
“And the decisions we make today will decide whether the next generation of Britons will also have the chance for a better future.”
Those who support Mr Sunak have shared a link to his campaign website, www.ready4rishi.com.
It appears that a site with a slightly different name, www.readyforrishi.com, was set up in December 2021, which redirects to the official campaign page.
Mr. Sunak’s team said domains are constantly being bought, adding that some had been transferred.
When asked how advanced Mr Sunak’s campaign was, Mr Spencer told BBC Radio 4’s PM program that he had only been ‘approached very late last night by the former chancellor’.
He added: “There are many people who are showing their support and I am sure they will declare in the very near future.”
Mr Spencer said there were “no secrets” from Mr Sunak, adding “there are no skeletons in that closet”.
Mr. Sunak, whose name on Twitter is now “Ready For Rishi”, has entered what will likely be a crowded field, with several competitors already.
Even before making his formal announcement, he had come under fire from Johnson loyalists, with Brexit secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg denouncing him as a “high-tax chancellor” who failed to curb inflation.
Mr Rees-Mogg told the BBC Any Questions on Friday: “I will not endorse Mr Sunak as Prime Minister.
“I belong to a party that believes in low taxes and the former Chancellor has spoken of low taxes and delivered higher taxes.
“I will support a leader who believes in controlling government spending, which I believe is key to tackling inflation.”
The Times reported that Ms. Badenoch launched her campaign with a promise to radically reduce the size and influence of the state.
She would lead a “limited government that focuses on the essentials,” the paper said.
The absence of a clear frontrunner in the leadership race has enticed a number of less ardent contenders to step forward – with backbencher John Baron saying he will “take polls” this weekend.
Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, has already said he will put his name forward.
More are expected in the coming days, including Mr Sunak’s successor as Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, and Ms Truss.
Although Mr Zahawi has not yet made an offer, Tory peer and Secretary of State Lord Goldsmith said on Friday evening that he “differs from most rivals”.
Following the elections to the backbench 1922 committee on Monday, the new body will establish a timetable for the leadership election.
After his bitter resignation speech on Thursday, many MPs want to see Mr Johnson out of number 10 as soon as possible – fearing a summer of “chaos” if he stays.
However, Downing Street insisted he would not step aside to allow Mr Raab to take over as interim prime minister.
Labor has confirmed it will table a vote of no confidence in the government if Johnson refuses to go voluntarily.
But to pass, Tory MPs would have to vote with them – or at least abstain in large numbers – which seems unlikely, as it could lead to a general election that they were likely to lose.