HOW THE FIVE TORY HOPEFULS COMPARE
Michael Gove, 48
BACKGROUND: Justice Secretary, who has served as education secretary and chief whip. The adopted son of an Aberdeen fish company owner and a former journalist. Was one of David Cameron’s closest friends until he backed Brexit. Standing to block Boris Johnson becoming PM.
LEADERSHIP ODDS: 10/3 BREXIT: Impeccable credentials. Became a leading figure in the Vote Leave campaign, despite intense pressure from Mr Cameron. Decided to stand partly because he feared Boris Johnson was not committed to leaving the EU.
ECONOMY: A low-tax Conservative who is likely to look for further spending cuts rather than agree tax rises if the Government’s deficit reduction plan is knocked off course by Brexit.
IMMIGRATION: Advocates an Australian style points system covering both EU and non-EU migrants. Said yesterday that immigration has been ‘too high’.
KEY BACKERS: Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, justice minister Dominic Raab, culture minister Ed Vaizey and skills minister Nick Boles.
ACHILLES HEEL: Facing accusations of treachery after knifing Boris Johnson yesterday. Has repeatedly said he is ‘not equipped to be PM’.
Stephen Crabb, 43
BACKGROUND: The Work and Pensions Secretary is one of the small number of top Tories from a working class background. Raised on a council estate by a single mother, he has spoken of how he prevented his alcoholic father attacking her with a knife. Running as the blue collar candidate.
LEADERSHIP ODDS: 20/1 BREXIT: Campaigned against leaving the EU, but said this week he would respect the referendum vote and take Britain out of the Brussels club.
IMMIGRATION: Mr Crabb said this week that bringing immigration under control would be a ‘red line’ during Brexit negotiations. Pledged to end free movement, but did not produce an explicit plan for bringing numbers under control.
ECONOMY: Made a big play of his desire to increase social mobility when launching his leadership campaign. Has rejected demands from George Osborne for further cuts to benefits and is likely to resist imposing further austerity measures on Britain.
KEY BACKERS: Business Secretary Sajid Javid is his running mate. Other supporters include attorney general Jeremy Wright and influential new MP Jonny Mercer.
ACHILLES HEEL: Mr Crabb has only limited Cabinet experience and campaigned against Brexit – an issue that is likely to be key with Tory activists. Criticised by some for opposing gay marriage.
Theresa May, 59
BACKGROUND: Vicar’s daughter and former banker. Workaholic Home Secretary for the last six years. Previously a party chairman when she warned in 2002 that the Tories were in danger of becoming the ‘nasty party’. Known for her nononsense style, attention to detail, and steely demeanour. Standing as the competence candidate.
LEADERSHIP ODDS: 8/13 BREXIT: Sided with David Cameron during the referendum campaign, but irritated the Prime Minister by refusing to take an active role. Yesterday said ‘Brexit means Brexit’, and declared herself ‘the best person to negotiate with Merkel’.
ECONOMY: Railed against cuts to the Home Office budget – often effectively. Yesterday pledged there would be no new tax rises and ditched George Osborne’s plan to balance the books by 2020.
IMMIGRATION: Has never looked like hitting David Cameron’s target of cutting net migration to below 100,000. Has taken tough steps on non-EU migration. Has voiced frustration at EU free movement rules, but also warned that an Australian style points system was ‘not a silver bullet’.
KEY BACKERS: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, International Development Secretary Justine Greening, business minister Anna Soubry, Tory grandees Sir Alan Duncan and Sir Nicholas Soames, and David Cameron’s Commons aide Gavin Williamson.
ACHILLES HEEL: Campaigned against leaving the EU. Seen by some as lacking charisma.
Andrea Leadsom, 53
BACKGROUND: Former high-flying banker at Barclays, who entered Parliament in 2010. Took time to enter Government after publicly criticising George Osborne. Currently energy minister. Standing as the Brexit candidate.
LEADERSHIP ODDS: 8/2 BREXIT: A longtime Eurosceptic who is fully committed to leaving the EU. She played a leading role in the Vote Leave campaign, including taking part in two TV debates. Her calm manner and positive vision for life outside the EU impressed many. Hoping to lead Brexit negotiations if her leadership bid fails.
IMMIGRATION: Said during the campaign that immigration would ‘overwhelm’ Britain unless it is brought under control. Angered Mr Osborne by saying his £ -anhour living wage would attract more migrants to Britain unless we leave the EU.
ECONOMY: A big supporter of the Government’s austerity agenda, who would resist tax rises unless unavoidable.
KEY BACKERS: Defence minister Penny Mordaunt, Steve Baker, chairman of the influential Conservatives for Britain group.
ACHILLES HEEL: Lack of experience. Will Tory members choose someone who has never served in the Cabinet at a time of national crisis?
Liam Fox, 54
BACKGROUND: Dr Fox is a veteran Tory schemer who stood in the 2005 leadership election won by David Cameron. The former defence secretary is a qualified doctor, who is a longstanding proponent of leaving the EU. Popular with activists, who he has courted assiduously. Standing as the candidate of the Tory Right.
LEADERSHIP ODDS: 25/1 BREXIT: A hardline Eurosceptic who said yesterday that Britain should leave the single market. ‘We are not leaving the EU – we are re-joining the rest of the world,’ he said. Nigel Farage said of him: ‘Liam Fox makes me look soft on Europe.’
IMMIGRATION: Dr Fox offered a guarantee yesterday that he would end the free movement of EU citizens to the UK. He also backs an Australian-style points system.
ECONOMY: Dr Fox is a low tax Tory who has argued for welfare cuts to fund tax breaks in order to ‘shock’ the British economy back into life. Also a champion of public sector reform, and has argued for more market influence in the NHS.
KEY BACKERS: Right-wingers such as former armed forces minister Sir Gerald Howarth, Edward Leigh and David Nuttall.
ACHILLES HEEL: May have been around the block once too often. Still under a slight cloud over his departure as defence secretary following controversy about the role of his friend and adviser Adam Werritty.