The biggest question which has been circulating since Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation on Thursday is who will take his place.
So far 10 members of the Conservative party have announced that they will be looking for support to become the next Prime Minister. But how many of the candidates do the people of Liverpool know about - and what do they make of their claims to the keys of 10 Downing Street?
We headed to the city centre to see what voters thought - and it's not good news for the Tories.
Generally, the consensus was that the public was most familiar with former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, the former Health Secretary. Both men resigned last Tuesday in moves which helped precipitate Mr Johnson's departure.
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Although people recognised them, those we spoke to were not eager to see either of them as PM - with most simply saying more wholesale change was necessary.
Kelly, an NHS nurse, said: “It’s time for a change in the government”.
Gareth, 41, a police officer who recognised the majority of the candidates and was familiar with their positions within the Conservative party, also highlighted a need for change. He said he believed "Boris should have gone a long time ago", and said he was not happy that he was staying until the autumn.
He added: "He should be replaced now.” Although he did not favour any of the candidates, his preference was that the next prime minister “had the least amount of connection to Boris Johnson” as possible.
Phoebe, a 21-year-old student said: “I think Boris quitting was long overdue and he has tarnished the Conservatives' name more than it already was. I don’t feel optimistic that another Tory leader is the right thing to do and given the circumstances, I wish they’d have a general election so the public can have a say.”
Alongside the suggestions of a general election to include the public in the decision, people are also eager to see a lesser-known candidate emerge.
Colette, 25, said. “We need a complete change of direction towards a new style of leadership to restore the Tory party”. Less familiar faces such as Tom Tugendhat are favoured by some.
Danny, 48, a tattooist, said he didn’t recognise any of the candidates as “it makes no difference” when people have faced the same disappointments time and time again.
Diane, 44, who works as a civil servant said: “In all honesty, my opinion is that they’re all as bad as each other."
Mark, 32, said that every candidate is the same in his eyes and “no one will take them seriously because given the great number of resignations all of the parties (in the running) must have been compliant with his behaviour to some extent.”
Who are the potential candidates for Prime Minister?
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Kemi Badenoch, former levelling-up minister
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Suella Braverman, Attorney General
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Rehman Chishti, Member of Parliament
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Jeremy Hunt, Member of Parliament
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Sajid Javid, Former Health Secretary
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Penny Mordaunt, Minister of State
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Priti Patel, Home Secretary
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Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary
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Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary
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Tom Tugendhat, Member of Parliament
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Nadim Zahawi, Chancellor of the Exchequer
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