With 11 candidates announced so far, Conservative MPs are now deciding who to support to become their next leader and new prime minister.
The rules of the race to replace Boris Johnson will be set by the 1922 Party Committee on Monday evening.
But with so many candidacies, party officials are looking to reduce it to “only serious candidates” by increasing the level of support for MPs needed to stay in the contest.
According to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, leadership candidates may need at least 36 MPs (10% from the parliamentary party) to support them to remain eligible.
Rishi Sunak
Despite several setbacks in recent months, including his ill-received increase in national insurance and scrutiny over his wife’s tax affairs, the former chancellor is currently at the helm.
After resigning as chancellor last week, he has only the support of one cabinet member: House of Commons leader Mark Spencer.
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Among his supporters are former party president Oliver Dowden, Theresa May’s secretary of international trade, Liam Fox, who helped oversee the Brexit negotiations, former housing secretary Robert Jenrick, and Helen Whately. former Minister of the Treasury.
Penny Mordaunt
The Minister of International Trade has kept a low profile during Boris Johnson’s tenure, having been sacked as Secretary of Defense by him after entering Downing Street.
But it’s still among the favorites.
No member of the current cabinet has publicly supported her, but as a staunch supporter of Brexit she has the support of former Commonwealth leader Dame Andrea Leadsom and Johnson’s vocal supporter Michael Fabricant, who describes her as ” socially liberal “.
Tom Tugendhat
Despite his lack of ministerial experience, Tom Tugendhat is another popular choice.
The former soldier has long been critical of Johnson, especially for the UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, in his role as chairman of the select foreign affairs committee.
Originally remaining, but loyal to Brexit, it has the support of International Trade Secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan.
Liz Truss
Like Rishi Sunak, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs has long been considered a potential successor to Boris Johnson.
She is the oldest cabinet member of all the candidates, having worked with David Cameron, Theresa May and Johnson.
Ms. Truss also has the support of most cabinet members.
They include Secretary of Labor and Pensions Therese Coffey, Secretary of Business Kwasi Kwarteng and Chief Secretary of the Treasury Simon Clarke.
Nadhim Zahawi
After making his name as vaccine minister during the pandemic, Zahawi has replaced Rishi Sunak as chancellor.
So far she has had the support of former cabinet members Brandon Lewis – a former Northern Ireland secretary – and Michelle Donelan, who served briefly as secretary of education before the prime minister’s resignation.
Kemi Badenoch
Essex MP Kemi Badenoch is tied with the chancellor for her number of sponsors.
Most notable among his supporters is Michael Gove, who was fired as level secretary by Boris Johnson after he reportedly told him to resign before succumbing to pressure last week.
Dr. Caroline Johnson, vice president of the Conservative Party, has also stated her support, saying she has “energy, clarity and vision.”
Braverman sole
Brexiteer Attorney General Suella Braverman enjoys the support of many of her fellow Leave supporters, including voice advocate Steve Baker and Sir Desmond Swayne.
Baker wrote in the Daily Telegraph that “without Suella there would be no Brexit.”
She has remained loyal to Boris Johnson, claiming that she “broke the Brexit blockade”.
Sajid Javid
Throwing his hat into the ring for the second time, Sajid Javid is backed mainly by his former ministers after resigning as health secretary last week.
His former health minister, Ed Argar, has pledged his support after he also resigned last week, as did his former private parliamentary secretary during his time as chancellor, Rachael Maclean.
Jeremy Hunt
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is the other candidate trying for the second time to become a leader.
Among his supporters is former Labor and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, who, like him, served in Theresa May’s cabinet.
He has said he would choose her for vice president if he wins.
Andrew Mitchell, leader of David Cameron, has also said he will support Hunt as leader.
Grant Shapps
The transportation secretary is currently far behind in the contest.
His cabinet colleague, Environment Secretary George Eustice, has come to support him, as has his Transport Department colleague Robert Courts.
Rehman Chishti
Relatively unknown outside the Tory Party and its constituency, Rehman Chishti is currently Minister of Foreign Affairs.
As the last to declare his candidacy, he has not yet received any public statement of support, but that is likely to change soon.
Conservative leadership debate: being in the audience
Sky News is hosting a live TV debate with contenders vying to be the next Conservative party leader and therefore prime minister, and you could be in the virtual audience.
The debate will take place on Monday 18 July by Sky News presenter Kay Burley.
If you would like to be a member of the virtual audience and have the opportunity to ask a question, please email NewsDebates@sky.uk