It comes as questions remain over whether his desperate bid to stay on as prime minister means he should not be allowed to remain in office while his successor is chosen. Tom Tugendhat became the first Conservative MP to launch a leadership bid after Mr Johnson’s resignation speech. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee said his party needed a “clean start”. “We need to make government work for the people once again – and we need to give them that clean slate,” he wrote. “As public servants, our actions must serve the interests of the British people. “I have served in the past – in the army and now in parliament. “Now I hope to answer the call once again as prime minister. It’s time for a clean start. It’s time for renewal.” Sky News understands that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also considering a bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Former health secretary Sajid Javid, who resigned on Tuesday night, is also understood to be deciding whether to enter the contest – according to the PA news agency. But Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Michael Gove have ruled themselves out of the competition, he told Sky News. Former health secretary Matt Hancock, who resigned over a breach of COVID rules, is also understood not to be interested in a leadership bid. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:46 Who will be the next prime minister? “It’s time for a fresh start” Elsewhere, speaking before Mr Johnson announced his resignation, Ben Wallace declined to comment on whether he would run to replace him. The defense secretary, one of the frontrunners to replace Mr Johnson, was asked if he would seek the top job while on a visit to a military training area in northern England. “Let’s see what the prime minister has to say,” he said. Sky News political correspondent Joe Pike understands Wallace is discussing the matter with his family before deciding whether or not to bid. Speaking before Johnson stepped down on Thursday, Attorney-General Suella Braverman told ITV political editor Robert Peston that she would “yes” consider a leadership bid if the prime minister stepped aside. Brexiteer Steve Baker has also announced he will run. While Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng has also hinted that he will throw his hat in the ring. “Now we need a new leader as soon as possible. Someone who can rebuild trust, heal the country and define a new, sensible and consistent economic approach to help families,” he said. Read more: Who are the frontrunners to be the next prime minister? In his resignation speech outside Number 10 on Thursday, Mr Johnson confirmed that the timetable for the process to elect a new leader would be set next week. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 5:24 The rise and fall of Boris Johnson “Unwise” for Johnson to stay until the fall He has said he intends to remain in Number 10 until his successor is elected, but faces resistance to that plan from within his own party. The timeline for the leadership contest is expected to result in a successor for the party’s October congress. Former prime minister Sir John Major said it was “unwise and may not be sustainable” for Johnson to stay so long. Follow The Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has also threatened to call for a no-confidence vote in the Commons, backed by other opposition parties, if Tory MPs cannot oust him immediately. Johnson has already appointed new ministers to replace MPs who resigned in protest at his leadership. These include Greg Clark as the new promotion secretary, replacing Mr Gove, and James Cleverley as education secretary – the third person to hold the role in as many days. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:54 When will Johnson leave No 10? The new cabinet met Thursday afternoon, but news cameras were not allowed inside. Johnson has told his cabinet ministers his government will not seek to implement new policies or make major changes in direction after stepping down as the Conservative Party leader. Addressing his reshuffled cabinet for the first time since resigning earlier on Thursday, Mr Johnson said his priority was to “continue to deliver on the promises of the manifesto and ensure that the government is on the side of the public, for the energy and transport costs. and housing and everything else that matters to them.” He also said the government would “focus on delivering the agenda on which the government was elected” and that “major fiscal decisions should be left to the next prime minister”.
