The rules to elect the new leader of the Conservative Party, and therefore Britain’s next prime minister, have been announced. The accelerated timetable heaps pressure on all contenders and limits the chance for an outsider to catch the eye.
Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, confirmed that hopefuls will require the backing of 20 MPs to make it onto the ballot, with nominations closing this evening. The top two will eventually go forward to a vote of roughly 100,000 party members, with the winner revealed on September 5.
