This week, the Conservative leadership content enters the Parliamentary stage. The various contenders – at the time of writing there are eleven – will be whittled down to two. The remaining pair will then tour the country for membership hustings ahead of a members’ ballot. So, how exactly will it play out?
All candidates must receive at least eight MPs’ backing in order to enter the contest formally. Only the principal and seconder need be named – the remaining six MPs are able to stay anonymous. The deadline for this is 5pm on Monday. The threshold was raised from two MPs to eight in a bid to reduce the number of leadership hopefuls. At present, the candidates who could be in trouble include Andrea Leadsom, Sam Gymiah and Rory Stewart.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the candidates who have passed the first test will take part in a hustings organised by the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers.
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