Eight Conservative MPs made the cut and onto the shortlist as the party races to replace Boris Johnson and install a new leader
Eight conservative members of parliament made it past the first hurdle – getting onto the shortlist.
The crowded field meant the committee overseeing the voting process had to narrow the herd fast.
From 11 initial candidates before today, Savid Javid and Grant Shapps dropped out ahead of the deadline – presumably because they had already canvassed they wouldn’t receive the required backing of at least 20 colleagues.
So too did Rehman Chishti – a wildcard entrant with no major public profile before he threw his hat in the ring.
Those remaining face their first round on Wednesday.
Progressive rounds of voting will automatically knock out whichever candidates don’t meet an ever-increasing benchmark.
The candidates who received the strongest backing ahead of today’s shortlist were Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Penny Mordaunt.
As of now, they face the strongest chances of making it to subsequent rounds.
The remaining five face tougher odds
Kemi Badenoch
Nadhim Zahawi
Jeremy Hunt
Tom Tughendhat
Suella Braverman
Boris Johnson will remain interim prime minister until September 5
