London: Rishi Sunak, a former finance minister of the United Kingdom, maintained his lead over the other three contenders on Monday as the campaign to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister of the United Kingdom entered its final stages.
In the third poll of Conservative legislators on Monday, Sunak received 115 votes, beating out former defence minister Penny Mordaunt (82 votes) and foreign secretary Liz Truss (71 votes).
The battle to succeed Johnson has taken an unpleasant turn since Johnson announced his resignation earlier this month after his scandal-plagued administration lost the backing of many in his ruling Conservative Party. Several candidates have turned their fire on the front-runner Sunak.
Those trying to go to a run-off between both the final two options, with foreign minister Truss and Averse to the idea, currently a senior trade minister, as his most likely opponents, have criticised him on everything from his career in government to the riches of his wife.For suggesting that she would alter the mandate of the Bank of England, Truss has also drawn criticism.
Candidates criticised one another’s records in a Sunday broadcast discussion, while Truss and Sunak withdrew from a scheduled third debate on Tuesday due to concerns from Conservatives about candidates criticising other members of their party.
“The Conservative Party’s nature is to engage in spirited debate before coming together once a new leader is chosen. I’m confident that it will occur again on this occasion.”