Who are likely runners and riders?

The Environment Secretary is now seen as the favourite at 7-2 – according to William Hill – to replace Prime Minister Theresa May. In June 2016, Edinburghborn Mr Gove, who was campaign manager for Boris Johnson’s drive to succeed David Cameron, withdrew his support on the morning Mr Johnson was due to declare. He was eventually eliminated after trailing behind ultimate winner Mrs May and Andrea Leadsom.

Amber Rudd

The Work and Pensions Secretary is the leading candidate among Remainers, but her slim 346vote majority in her Hastings and Rye constituency is seen as an obstacle.

David Lidington

Mrs May’s de facto deputy was tipped as a possible caretaker prime minister to deliver Brexit, but has publicly said he does not want the job. William Hill are offering odds of 6-1. Sajid Javid

The Home Secretary is the candidate Tory members believe would make the best Prime Minister, according to an Ipsos Mori poll published yesterday.

Boris Johnson

The Old Etonian former foreign secretary led the Leave campaign and resigned from the Cabinet following the Chequers summit in July. Odds of him taking the helm have come in at 6-1, according to William Hill, but he would have the backing of many pro-leave members of the party.

Jeremy Hunt

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, with odds of 10-1 at William Hill, was a prominent Remainer in the 2016 referendum but now supports a no-deal Brexit if Parliament can’t agree a deal.

Dominic Raab

With odds at 12-1, the former Brexit secretary is an outlier to take over from the Prime Minister.