LONDON – Former British foreign Minister Boris Johnson and current head of the foreign office Jeremy Hunt have reached the final stage of the struggle for the post of leader of the Conservative party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This is evidenced by the results of the last Thursday’s fifth round of voting, which was attended by Tory deputies from the House of Commons of the British Parliament.
Johnson enlisted the support of 160 of the 313 deputies and strengthened his leadership. 77 deputies voted for Hunt.
The Minister of environment, food and agricultural development of Great Britain Michael Gove with 75 votes took the last place and could not break into the final stage of voting. The name of the leader of the party and, given that the Tories are in power, the head of government will now be determined in a vote by mail among 160 thousand ordinary members of the Conservative party. A month is given for this, and the name of the new Prime Minister should be announced by the end of July.
Johnson and Hunt have different views on when and how the UK should leave the EU. The former Foreign Minister said that the “divorce” will take place on October 31 with or without a deal with Brussels. Hunt stands on more moderate positions and does not exclude that the term of negotiations with the EU can be extended if by the end of October the parties do not have time to agree.
On May 24, Theresa May announced her upcoming resignation, first from the post of Tory leader, and with the election of a new head of the party – and from the post of Prime Minister because of the inability to realize the country’s exit from the EU. Thus, the task of implementing “Brexit” will be entrusted to the shoulders of the new leader of the country and the ruling political force. May will continue to be Prime Minister until a new party leader is elected.
