Conservative contenders

So far, none of Theresa May’s critics have publicly stated they want to replace her as leader of the Conservative Party but several MPs do seem to be in the frame.

Challengers taking part in any leadership battle are thinned out during a series of votes that involve Conservative MPs, until only two remain.

The winner is picked from the last two in a nationwide poll of rank-andfile Conservative Party members.

Justice Secretary David Gauke told Radio 4’s Today program a leadership tussle could rumble on until late January or February.

Those being talked about as potential leaders include:

Boris Johnson. The prominent Brexiteer and former foreign secretary who was once mayor of London is the bookies’ joint-favorite. He has been a huge critic of May and her proposed Brexit deal. Educated at Eton, colorful and flamboyant, he has been frequently tipped as a future leader.

Dominic Raab. The former Brexit secretary who resigned after disagreeing with May’s post-Brexit vision is the joint-favorite among bookmakers, alongside Johnson. The son of an emigrant from Czech Republic, he is a prominent Brexiteer who wants an arms-length relationship with the EU.

Sajid Javid. Britain’s home secretary, has consistently supported May but could step in if she is unseated as party leader. Like May, Javid wanted the UK to remain in the EU ahead of the referendum. He has been home secretary since April and is the first person from a visible ethnic minority to hold the position.

Michael Gove. Despite saying it is “extremely unlikely” he would stand in any leadership campaign, he has frequently been mentioned as a possible future party leader.