Conservative Leadership Contest Officially Starts, New PM Known On 5 Sep

The Conservative party leadership contest officially begins today, with nominations to get on the ballot opening and closing.

• Last night, following elections to the executive of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, the body decided on the official rules for the party's leadership campaign.
• Nominations are open today, closing at 1800BST. In order to get onto the first ballot, MPs must have the support of 20 fellow Conservative MPs. Any below this threshold by the cutoff time will be eliminated from the contest.
• The first ballot will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 13 July, between 1330-1530BST (0830-1030ET, 1430-1630CET). Any candidates receiving fewer than 30 votes will be eliminated from the contest. Should all candidates pass the threshold the individuals with the fewest votes will be eliminated.
• The second ballot is likely to take place on Thursday 14 July, with the threshold for making the next round rising further. Should a third round be required, this will likely take place Monday 18 July.
• The deadline for reaching the final two candidates (who will go to a vote of party members) is Thursday 21 July, the day parliament rises for the summer recess.
• The identity of the new Conservative leader and therefore PM will be announced following the recess, on Monday 5 September.
• At present, the only candidates that have secured 20 public nominations are former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt, and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat.