Rishi Sunak is to run in the race to be named next leader of the Conservative Party, and the next Prime Minister, according to close allies. Mr Sunak was defeated by Liz Truss in the race to become the new PM last month, gathering 60,399 votes to her 81,326.
One close ally told the Independent: “I hope there is only one candidate but if there is more than one then there will be a contest and I believe Rishi will win it.”
He was Chancellor of the Exchequer until July 5 when he quit in protest at Boris Johnson’s leadership.
In the last leadership campaign, he positioned himself as the candidate prepared to tell hard truths about the state of the public finances rather than “comforting fairy tales”.
Tory MP Steve Double said his party should unite behind a candidate such as Mr Sunak.
Speaking before Ms Truss announced her resignation, Mr Double said: “Rishi Sunak’s predictions about the disastrous consequences of Liz Truss’s policies have been proven right. We now need someone like him to step up to show that they can get a grip on the situation and lead from the front.”
He added that he was “willing to get behind anyone who will provide the leadership we need, is up to the job and will get back to delivering on the 2019 manifesto we were elected on”
Rishi Sunak is the bookies’ favourite to be the next resident of Number 10, following Liz Truss’ resignation as leader of the Conservative Party.
The former Chancellor is the odds-on favourite with Paddy Power (4/5) to be the UK’s third Prime Minister of the year.
Also in the running to replace Truss are Penny Mordaunt (7/4) and Ben Wallace at 17/2.
A shock return to Downing Street for former PM Boris Johnson is also priced at 14/1.
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Rishi Sunak may be the favourite to replace Liz Truss, but at 500/1, there’s great value on backing the lettuce instead. After all, it’s already lasted longer than the outgoing PM, so it looks like it has the political staying power that the Tories so desperately need.
“But, with Brexit still a huge sticking point for leadership hopefuls, the big question is: is the lettuce leaf or romaine?”
NEXT CONSERVATIVE LEADER
4/5 Rishi Sunak
7/4 Penny Mordaunt
17/2 Ben Wallace
14/1 Boris Johnson
20/1 Kemi Badenoch
33/1 Suella Braverman
40/1 Sajid Javid
40/1 Jeremy Hunt
40/1 Simon Clarke
66/1 Dominic Raab
500/1 The Lettuce
