Competition is fierce Who could take Green’s job?

The leading contenders:

Jeremy Hunt,

51, Health Secretary since 2012, he has won the respect of Cabinet colleagues for pushing through health reforms and negotiating a new contract for junior doctors. Voted Remain in the EU referendum but has since said he would vote Leave in a second ballot, winning over Brexiteers.

Amber Rudd,

54, appointed Home Secretary by Theresa May in 2016; regarded as a potential successor to Mrs May. A staunch Remainer, putting her on a collision course with Cabinet Brexiteers.

Michael Gove,

50, brought back into Cabinet in June, having originally been excluded by Mrs May. A Leading Leave campaigner, as the PM’S de facto deputy he would reassure party Brexiteers as phase two talks with the EU get underway in 2018.