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Sunak Becomes Frontrunner To Become UK Prime Minister After Johnson Drops Out

UK

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has emerged as the clear frontrunner to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and the UK's Prime Minister after Boris Johnson dropped out of the race.

  • Sunak has reportedly secured the backing of around 150 MPs from all corners of the party at this point, becoming the only candidate to cross the threshold of needed to formally register his candidacy.
  • Johnson claimed to have the support of 102 MPs but only about 60 endorsed him publicly, while some senior Tory figures warned against the potential chaos that could follow his return to Downing 10.
  • Penny Mordaunt has also thrown her hat into the ring but is yet to garner enough support among Tory MPs to make it on to the ballot paper. If she fails to convince enough Johnson backers and undecided lawmakers, Sunak could win by default in the first round on Monday.
  • Betting exchange Smarkets has shown a notable increase in the odds of Sunak succeeding Liz Triss as the Prime Minister, with his victory now seen as a virtually done deal.

Fig. 1: Who Will Be The Next UK Prime Minister?

Source: Smarkets

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