No clear favorite has emerged in the frenzied first hours after the prime minister’s unusual resignation speech outside No 10, in which he bemoaned the “wacky” Tory rebellion that ultimately forced him to resign. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and former cabinet minister Michael Gove, described by a No 10 source as a “snake” after he turned on Johnson, have ruled themselves out, the Independent understands. But about a dozen MPs are believed to be preparing campaigns or seeking support. The crowded contest threatens to become similar to the “wacky games,” fullback Steve Brine said. Tory supporter Tom Tugendhat became the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring on Thursday night. The chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, who has never served in government, said he would give the party a “fresh start”. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: “I am putting together a broad coalition of colleagues who will bring new energy and ideas to government and finally bridge the Brexit divide that has dominated our recent history.” Mr Tugendhat earlier received a major boost over Jeremy Hunt in his bid to win the support of Tory moderates when Damian Green, leader of the One Nation caucus, endorsed him to become the next prime minister. Mr Green told Sky News: “Making a fresh start with someone who is not in the cabinet and is determined to restore the highest standards will be exactly what the country wants… You can understand that Tom will be a candidate ». Former chancellor Rishi Sunak and former health secretary Sajid Javid effectively launched their bids for the top job by resigning on Tuesday night. However, both candidates kept their heads down as the prime minister finally accepted the game was open on Thursday. Ben Wallace also remained silent, defending his decision to remain defense secretary as an “obligation to keep this country safe”. He is seen as a favorite among members, topping this week’s Conservative Home online survey of the party’s base. Trade Secretary Penny Mordaunt – who is believed to have put her campaign team in place – is also seen as a serious contender. The staunch Leave campaigner came second only to Mr Wallace in this week’s grassroots poll. Mr Hunt, the former health secretary who was seen as keen on a second bid for the leadership, remained silent on Thursday – although he did post a selfie on Instagram of himself on the phone looking serious. Nadhim Zahawi is also believed to be considering a leadership bid, despite the whirlwind 48 hours that saw him appointed chancellor on Tuesday, before returning to Downing Street the following afternoon to tell Johnson his time was up. Mr Zahawi has been “covertly” working with close allies of Tory election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby on a possible leadership campaign for months, according to the Times. It is not yet clear whether Home Secretary Priti Patel or Transport Minister Grant Shapps could throw their hats in the ring. Johnson loyalists were also part of a delegation of ministers who headed to No 10 on Wednesday night to tell the Prime Minister his time was up. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, a Remainer in 2016 who boosted her credentials with Brexiteers with her hardline stance on protocol, cut short a trip to Indonesia on Thursday and called for “calm and unity” in the coming weeks. Tory ally Alec Selbrook said he would back Ms Truss to become leader. “When I look at what we need to do to help deliver the manifesto, get those benefits for Brexit … Liz Truss will be the best person to deliver that,” the Remain campaigner said. Steve Baker, the self-proclaimed “hard man” of Brexit, has said he is considering throwing his hat in the ring. Asked by TalkTV who would be in his first cabinet, the former European Research Group (ERG) chairman named Messrs Wallace and Sunak – saying the former chancellor had “unfulfilled potential”. Jake Berry, leader of the Northern Research Group (NRG), is also understood to be considering a leadership bid. Although he has been in parliament since 2010, he remains a prominent figure among many of the “red wall” MPs who won seats in the North and Midlands in 2019. There has been speculation that the recruitment of younger MPs in 2019 could be agreed as a “new generation” candidate. However, an MP for the group told the Independent there were no current plans to move anyone forward. Attorney-General Suella Braverman told ITV’s Peston on Wednesday that she would put her name in the ring. A Braverman for PM Twitter account appeared on Thursday – with Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne becoming the first to back her bid. Despite the apparent popularity of Mr Wallace and Ms Mordaunt in grassroots polls, former No 10 pollster James Johnson shared a more extensive poll of the general public that showed Mr Sunak was the most popular choice to become prime minister. Some 14 per cent of voters chose the former chancellor as their top choice in the JL Partners poll, ahead of Mr Javid and Hunt (both on 7 per cent) and Ms Truss and Mr Wallace (and the two with 4 percent). Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is not standing, slammed Mr Sunak’s legacy in an interview with Channel 4 – claiming he was not a “successful chancellor” and a “high-tax chancellor”. Mr Wallace beats all other candidates in the latest YouGov poll of Tory MPs, who will ultimately decide who becomes prime minister when they are presented with two final candidates in late July or early August. The executive body of the 1922 Commission is under pressure to reduce the original field of candidates to two by July 21, when parliament adjourns for the summer. The membership renewal process is expected to last about a month before a new leader – and a new prime minister – is elected by early September.
