After Boris Johnson’s resignation, understand how the UK will choose a new prime minister

In announcing his resignation as British prime minister on Thursday (7), Boris Johnson said the process of choosing the next leader “starts now”.

Under the UK political system, between elections, only Conservative Members of Parliament have the power to remove an incumbent Conservative Prime Minister.

So, what will the process of choosing a new leader look like?

In a schedule that will be detailed by the Conservative Party next week, in the first stage, party members will run for leadership. For that, they need the support of at least eight parliamentarians.

If there are more than two candidates, a first round of voting will be held. In this first round, all candidates with less than 18 votes will be eliminated.

If there are still more than two candidates, a second round of voting will take place. This time, candidates with fewer than 36 votes will be eliminated. If the number of candidates is still greater than two, the process will continue with the two most voted.

Then Conservative Party members vote nationwide, by correspondence, between the two finalists. The one with the most votes becomes the leader of the Conservative Party and the new British prime minister.

How long will this take?

The duration may vary depending on how many people apply as candidates. Theresa May became leader less than three weeks after David Cameron resigned in 2016 and all the other contenders dropped out mid-race.

Johnson faced former health minister Jeremy Hunt in the second round of Conservative members to replace May in 2019, and took office two months after May announced her intention to step down.

the british press reported that Johnson agreed with the chairman of the 1922 Committee, which will oversee the vote, that a new leader must be in office before the party’s annual conference, which takes place October 2-5.