Rishi Sunak is believed to have become the first Tory leadership candidate to have amassed sufficient support to make it to the ballot of Conservative MPs. The former chancellor’s supporters said late on Friday (October 21) that he had received nominations from 100 Tory MPs to pass the threshold required well ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Boris Johnson was lagging behind, as was Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt who became the first to confirm her candidacy to replace Liz Truss as prime minister. Mr Johnson has told allies he is “up for it” and would fly back from his holiday in the Dominican Republic to enter the race and attempt an extraordinary comeback.
There is speculation among backers of the old Downing Street neighbours that they could strike a deal to stand together, but this would need them both to bury a lot of rancour. Mr Sunak was among the first of the high-profile resignations from Mr Johnson's government that led to him leaving No 10.
