Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak lead race to become UK’s next PM

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former finance Minister Rishi Sunak were leading potential contenders to replace British Premier Liz Truss on Friday. Candidates are canvassing support to become Conservative Party leader in a fast-tracked contest.

Truss resigned on Thursday after six weeks in power. Those who want to replace her must secure 100 votes from Conservative lawmakers by Monday to run in a contest, which the party hopes will reset its ailing fortunes.

With opinion polls suggesting the Conservatives would be all but wiped out if a national election were held now, the race is on to become the fifth British premier in six years. The winner will be announced next week.

In what would be an extraordinary comeback, Mr Johnson, who was ousted by his lawmakers in July but remains popular with party members, was being touted alongside Mr Sunak as a likely candidate.

Britain’s shortest-lived prime minister, Truss quit after her economic plans were rejected by investors, hitting the pound and pushing up borrowing costs, forcing a U-turn under a new finance minister after she sacked her closest political ally.

The Conservative Party has a big majority in Parliament and need not call a nationwide election for another two years, but opposition parties have said that voters should now be given a say.