Penny Mordaunt set to become new Prime Minister if she makes final two – new poll suggests
PENNY Mordaunt is by far the favourite to be the next Tory leader and PM, a new poll suggests.
A snap survey by YouGov shows that Ms Mordaunt is the number one pick for leader among over a quarter (27 per cent) of Tory members.
She is followed by Kemi Badenoch, who is the second most popular leadership contender at 15 per cent.
The Conservative membership base play a crucial role in crowning the next PM.
Once the pool of candidates is whittled down to a final two, it is up to members to vote for who should win.
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There are currently still eight contenders vying to be Tory leader.
A ballot of Tory MPs is taking place between 1.30pm and 3.30pm today.
The candidate with the lowest number of votes will be knocked out of the leadership race.
Every candidate also needs to have secured a minimum of 30 MP backers – anyone who doesn’t gets the axe.
Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 backbench Committee will announce the result at 5pm today.
TORY LEADERSHIP RACE - TIMETABLE
WEDNESDAY July 13
- 1.30-3.30pm: Tory MPs vote in person or by proxy in Parliament for their preferred candidate to be the next party leader.
- Around 5pm: The results of the first round are announced by 1922 chair Sir Graham Brady. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, as is anyone with fewer than 30 votes.
- Straight after: The remaining candidates field questions from Tory MPs at the 1922 hustings.
THURSDAY July 14
- Tory MPs vote in the second ballot and the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated.
FRIDAY July 15
- The remaining candidates go head to head in the first TV debate live on Channel 4 at 7pm.
SUNDAY July 17
- They will then do battle again with a debate on ITV at 7pm.
MONDAY July 18
- The remaining candidates are put before Tory MPs at the third ballot. By this stage there could just be three candidates left, meaning the final two will emerge. Sky News will host the third TV debate at 7pm
TUESDAY July 19 - FRIDAY July 22
- Knockout ballots will happen daily until just two candidates are left standing.
FRIDAY July 22
- The final two candidates tour the country trying to win the votes of 100,000 or so ordinary party members who will decide the next PM.
MONDAY September 5
- The results of the vote is announced and Britain's next PM is revealed
There will be more votes tomorrow and early next week before the top two candidates are announced on July 20.
The bombshell YouGov poll shows that Ms Mordaunt has a commanding lead against every single competitor in the race were they to make the top two with her.
According to the poll the Trade Minister would even beat current hot favourite Rishi Sunak 39 points.
Ms Mordaunt is pitching herself to MPs as the candidate Labour would fear the most in a general election.
The former magician’s assistant has promised to slash taxes and help families by solving the childcare crisis.
She’s also promised to immediately slash fuel duty by 50% and repeal the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
Ms Mordaunt will definitely make tomorrow’s ballot as she’s already received the public backing of 33 MPs.