Boris Johnson Out, Rishi Sunak May Become UK Prime Minister Today

Pic courtesy Reuters

New Delhi: With Boris Johnson backing out of his bid to return to power, saying he would not be leading “a united party in parliament,” his political rival Rishi Sunak has got a clear edge, almost making him the clear winner in the race of becoming PM, after Liz Truss stepped down. His only other opponent, Penny Mordaunt, does not have the numbers Sunak does.

According to several media reports, the PM announcement could be as soon as Monday. As it stands, Sunak has raced ahead in the count for Tory MPs’ support. He currently boasts the public backing of 146 Tory lawmakers, according to a BBC tally. The publicly declared support for Johnson was at 57, and 23 for Mordaunt.

Rishi Sunak is one step closer as the clear frontrunner in the Conservative Party leadership race on Monday to be elected Britain’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister. The prospect of a Diwali victory for Sunak cannot be ruled out. The 42-year-old former chancellor, who said he wanted to fix UK’s economy, unite the party and deliver for the country when he declared his candidacy, has held a solid lead in the contest having comfortably surpassed the 100-MPs threshold to make the shortlist in time for the 1400 local time Monday deadline.