6 candidates vie to head UK's Conservative Party

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - A total of six candidates have been confirmed to run for the UK's Conservative Party leadership to replace Rishi Sunak.

The Tory leadership race was announced on July 5 when then-Prime Minister Sunak announced his intention to resign as party leader following the Labour Party's landslide victory in the general election.

The contest, launched on July 24, is expected to last for three months with Sunak's successor being confirmed on Nov. 2.

Sunak will remain the acting leader of the party until a successor is appointed.

Nominations opened at 1900GMT on July 24 and closed at 1430GMT on Monday. According to the procedures, candidates need the support of 10 colleagues to proceed.

The Conservative Party said James Cleverly (former foreign and home secretary), Priti Patel (former home secretary), Tom Tugendhat (former security minister), Robert Jenrick (former immigration minister), Mel Stride (former work and pensions secretary), and Kemi Badenoch (ex-business secretary) were confirmed for the first round of the election.

According to the rules, the candidates will campaign and meet party members across the country in August.

The parliamentary party then votes to whittle the field down to four candidates, who will make their case to members at the Conservative Party conference on Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Lawmakers will choose two final candidates on Oct. 9-10, who will be put to an online vote of members across the country until Oct. 31.

The new leader of the main opposition party will be announced on Nov. 2.