After Boris Johnson's resignation in installments, the field of potential successors is forming among the conservative Tories. The first of those who had previously been traded as candidates is now publicly expressing their interest: foreign policy expert Tom Tugendhat.
Following the resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Tories, the first candidate for a successor has thrown his hat in the ring. The well-known Tory MP Tom Tugendhat announced in the newspaper "Daily Telegraph" that he would apply to succeed Johnson.
The leader of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons said he wanted to forge a "broad coalition" for a "fresh start". "I've served before - in the armed forces and now in Parliament," wrote the 49-year-old former army officer. Now he wants to serve his country as prime minister.
In the face of an unprecedented internal party revolt, Johnson announced his resignation as head of the Tories on Thursday. This also seals his end as head of government, but he wants to remain in office until a successor is elected. The election of the new chair will take place in the coming months, with a timetable to be presented next week. At the Tories' party conference in early October, Johnson is to be officially replaced as party leader.
Even before Johnson's resignation, Tugendhat had let it be known that he would apply to succeed the party and government leader. Among other things, the MP and committee chairman made a name for himself with a tough stance on China and criticism of the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Within the party, however, the camp of Johnson supporters is critical of him.
In addition to Tugendhat, there should be a number of other candidates. Among other things, it is expected that Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who resigned on Tuesday, and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will apply to succeed Johnson. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, who resigned like Javid on Tuesday, and former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt are also considered possible candidates.
Johnson and his government have come under massive criticism over the past few months as a result of a whole series of scandals. In addition to a donation affair, scandals surrounding parties at the seat of government during the corona lockdown and sexual assaults by high-ranking Tory representatives weighed particularly heavily.
Almost 60 ministers and other government officials had resigned since Tuesday evening in protest against Johnson. Since then, calls for the prime minister to resign have increased, including from within his own party and from cabinet members.
