Rishi Sunak: Prime Minister vows to deliver for Brits by working 'day in, day out (FOREIGN NEWS)
Rishi Sunak has vowed to deliver for Brits by working "day in, day out" as he made his first speech since winning the race to become the country's next Prime Minister.
In a brief address that lasted just 86 seconds and only 184 words, the new Tory leader said Liz Truss led with "grace and dignity" during her brief stint in office.
He warned the country faced a "profound economic challenge" and needed "stability and unity" to build a "better, more prosperous future for our children and our grandchildren."
This comes as this afternoon Sunak ruled out a general election and told Tory MPs to "unite or die" in his first speech as Prime Minister.
The former Chancellor had secured the backing of at least 200 Conservative MPs ahead of the 2pm nomination deadline to be Tory leader. His rival Ms Mordaunt bowed out moments before the deadline.
Boris Johnson briefly sparked outrage after cutting his Dominican Republic holiday short to stand in the race and potentially become Prime Minister again. However, last night he sensationally pulled out of the race.
Mr Sunak, who lost out to Liz Truss in the summer leadership contest, has now been named the new PM.
Boris Johnson was "begging for votes" over the weekend
Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith has said that Johnson was asking colleagues for support as he rushed back from the Dominican Republic to try and put together a leadership campaign.
Speaking to Andrew Marr on LBC, he said: “I think the problem when Boris came over was one Boris was completely unexpectedly having to do this. He made no plans.
"He had no team. He kind of expected I think when he arrived that there would be at least 150 people claiming him. And this would grow to the majority that didn’t happen, suddenly they find themselves struggling and begging people for votes.
“That was demeaning, really. And then when Rishi and the other said, no, the only deal we do with you is if you were serving us, not the other way around, and that cost didn’t suit him.”
Rishi Sunak set to become Prime Minister TODAY as full timetable revealed
Here is the provisional timetable for Rishi Sunak to replace Liz Truss as the Prime Minister of the country.
Liz Truss will chair her final Cabinet meeting today morning at 09:00am.She will then make a statement outside No10 at around 10:15am before travelling to Buckingham Palace for an Audience with His Majesty the King.
After this, the new Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak will travel to Buckingham Palace for his audience with King Charles III - just weeks after Truss made the reverse trip with Johnson herself.
The new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will then travel to Downing Street where you can expect words on the street at around 11:35am.
From that moment on Sunak will begin to grapple with his growing in-tray of problems facing the country.
First Minister of Wales offers Rishi Sunak his “llongyfarchiadau”
The First Minsiter of Wales has offered Rishi Sunak his “llongyfarchiadau” since it was announced he would become next Prime Minister.
Mark Drakeford offered the incoming Tory leader his "congratulations" but warned him the UK "desperately needs a period fo stability".
Starmer seen as better Prime Minister than Sunak by majority of Brits, polling finds
Polling found that the majority of Brits would prefer Labour leader Keir Starmer lead the country rather than new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
According to findings from YouGov, Starmer is seen as the better PM in three times as many constituencies as Sunak.
Overall, 38 per cent of respondents said Starmer would be the best bet, with 29 per cent backing Sunak.
When broken down into a seat-by-seat map by an MRP analysis, Starmer won 389 constituencies compared to Sunak's 127.
Rishi Sunak's comments to the 1922 Committee
Rishi Sunak spoke to the 1922 Committee, talking more in depth than his brief, first appearance as incoming prime minister.
The Telegraph reported the new Tory leader warned his party they faced an "existential moment" with "no second chances".
He told the Conservative party, which has spent the time since summer in-fighting, that they were united on a number of key issues like Ukraine and Europe, and said he would deliver on the 2019 manifesto promises.
He reportedly concluded with: "I said this is an existential moment. Unite around a clear economic plan and a vision of a better Britain.
"Unite all the talents of our party in a broad and inclusive government. Move forward with experienced, disciplined, focused leadership - stable, competent government."
Rishi Sunak is "part of the problem" Labour blasts
Rishi Sunak is "part of the problem" Labour leader Keir Starmer has blasted, saying the incoming Prime Minister is the "architect" of the mess Britain finds itself in.
Speaking to the Metro, the Labour boss once again pushed for a general election as calls for a public vote intensify.
He also criticised Sunak for revealing "absolutely zilch" about his plans for government during his only, and brief, appearance as future PM.
Starmer told the outlet: "He (Sunak) is part of the problem. If you look at what they all said about each other over the summer, he and Truss were slugging it out to say how awful the mess was that they created and that they should be prime minister to sort out the mess of their own making.
"So he is absolutely covered in the mess, we have not had economic growth in the way we should have had in the last 12 years and he is a major factor in that."
Rishi Sunak faces battle to plug £38billion black hole in public finances
Rishi Sunak faces a number of tough choices ahead and has to find £38billion to help plug a huge blackhole in public finances.
According to figures from the Resolution Foundation and Sky, there was a £70billion blackhole the incoming PM would have to deal with.
Jeremy Hunt tearing up Liz Truss' 'mini-budget' accounted for £32billion of that, still leaving a huge £38billion gap Sunak has to wrestle with.
This could come in the form of spending cuts, further gutting public services, or in tax rises.
However, all this comes as some economic indicators point towards the UK economy already being in recession.
Over 120,000 sign Mirror petition calling for a general election
Over 120,000 Mirror readers have called for a general election as Rishi Sunak becomes the new Prime Minister.
Sunak made a brief first appearance since winning the race to become the next PM with a speech lasting just 86 seconds.
But it comes as the calls for a general election grow louder from opposition parties and polling says the majority of the public back an election now too.
Almost two-thirds of public want a general election once Sunak becomes PM
Nearly two-thirds of voters want a general election before the end of the year, a poll has found.
Some 62 per cent of people said they want a general election once Rishi Sunak takes office as Prime Minister according to a poll by Ipsos.
The proportion of the public calling for a general election has increased since Liz Truss announced her resignation on October 20.
At the beginning of August, 51% of people told Ipsos they would back a general election. The latest figures came from a survey of 1,000 adults between October 20 and 21.
The Government has until January 2025 to hold an election, and Mr Sunak ruled out an early poll in his first speech to Conservative MPs on Monday.
Boris Johnson remains mute on Rishi Sunak's victory after aborted leadership attempt
Boris Johnson remains silent on Rishi Sunak's victory to become the next prime minister after an aborted leadership attempt from the former Tory leader.
Johnson, instead of working in parliament, had been on a holiday which he cut short in an attempt to grab power once more.
He flew back to try and kickstart his own campaign to win the Tory leadership - again.
However, the wheels seemingly quickly came off amid reports he failed to convince the opposition candidates to come together.
Theresa May, Liz Truss, and David Cameron have all congratulated Sunak on his victory and called for the Tory party to support him.
International response to Rishi Sunak's confirmation as country's next leader
The international community has welcomed Rishi Sunak as the country's next prime minister, since it was announced this afternoon.
European Council President Charles Michel tweeted his congratulations amid ongoing UK-EU talks over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter: “Warmest congratulations @RishiSunak! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030.
“Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.”
Some world leaders like Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron have yet to publicly congratulate the new leader.
Rishi Sunak left Tory HQ to cheers and heckling
Rishi Sunak left Conservative Campaign Headquarters after making his first speech since being announced as the next prime minister.
The new Tory leader was largely greeted warmly by cheers from the huge crowds including shouts of "happy Diwali".
However, not everyone cheers the soon-to-be PM and one woman shouted "general election now" as he was driven off.
Outstanding Brexit problems could be solved “very, very quickly” Sunak told
President of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald said a deal between the UK and EU to resolve outstanding issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol could be done "very, very quickly" as Rishi Sunak was announced as the country's next leader.
Sunak becomes the latest in a growing line of Tory leader's to have to grapple with the fallout of the historic vote held in 2016 that led to Britain leaving the EU.
One of the many pressing issues facing Sunak will be the political crisis in Northern Ireland where there has been no functioning Assembly for months due to the DUP protest against the workings of the post-Brexit protocol, which has created economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
"The challenge for the next prime minister is whether or not they are prepared to actually get the business done and to ensure that people who live here are not left endlessly in a limbo, facing into a cost-of-living crisis and with no government to serve them and to protect them. That is completely unacceptable," she said.
"The idea that there would be no executive, the idea that the DUP would keep us in this limbo in these circumstances is absolutely breath-taking in its scale."
Rishi Sunak to become Britain's first non-white prime minister
Rishi Sunak is set to become the country's first non-white prime minister after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the leadership race - leaving him to win.
Seven weeks after losing his first bid to lead Britain, the former Treasury chief is now set to replace Liz Truss and become the first person of colour to lead the country.
Sunak's parents are of Punjabi Indian descent and migrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s.
The 42-year-old emerged victorious from the lightning-fast contest as Britain's third PM in a matter of months.
Sunak won't officially take office until King Charles III formally appoints him and the timetable for that is still being worked out.
Conservative Party members claim to cancel memberships as Sunak announced as new PM
Some Conservative party members claim they have cancelled their memberships in response to Rishi Sunak being announced as the next prime minister.
One member even said they weren't able to cancel their membership as the webform used to do so had crashed due to the demand.
Party members will not vote to decide the new Tory leader after Penny Mordaunt pulled out of the race, and dozens on Twitter claimed they had ceased their membership with the party on Monday afternoon, with some stating they would join Reform UK.
Samuel Jukes, a retail worker from Birmingham who joined the Tories in 2019 and was supporting Boris Johnson in the contest, said a general election should now be called as Mr Sunak “has no mandate”.
“I’m fuming right now, we never voted for Rishi Sunak,” the 33-year-old told the PA news agency.
“I’m considering leaving, not decided yet but I see a lot of members are cancelling their memberships and I might be the same… Rishi has no mandate.
“Right now I’m ashamed to be a Conservative member.”
Climate and cost-of-living activists occupy central lobby as Sunak announced as new PM
Climate change and cost-of-living activists occupied central lobby briefly this afternoon as Rishi Sunak was announced as new PM.
TV broadcasters were abruptly told to end their coverage after a sit-down protest gathered in central lobby.
Protesters complaining about rising energy bills as well as the ongoing climate crisis occupied the area in parliament.
Read Rishi Sunak's first speech as Conservative leader in full
Read Rishi Sunak's first speech since winning the race to become the country's next prime minister.
Last just 184 words and 86 seconds, Sunak said: “I’d like to pay tribute to Liz Truss for her dedicated public service to the country.
“She has led with dignity and grace through a time of great change and under exceptionally difficult circumstances, both at home and abroad.
“I am humbled and honoured to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues and to be elected as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
“I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility - and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people.”
Rishi Sunak makes first speech as new prime minister - lasting just 86 seconds
In a very short first speech as new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said the country faced a "profound economic challenge" but said he would serve with "integrity.
Sunak made the speech from inside CCHQ and said Liz Truss led with "dignity and grace" during her brief time in power that saw the pound crash and markets lose faith in the country.
He said being elected Tory leader was the greatest privilege of his life and added it was his "utmost priority" to bring the country and his warring party together.
The brief speech lasted only 86 seconds before a pause, and the incoming PM walked off stage.
Perhaps referencing previous prime minister's, in the brief statement lasting about 90 seconds, he said he would serve with "integrity and humility".
Sky News compared the incoming PM to a "political robot".
Sunak said: "There is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge. We now need stability and unity and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.
"That is the only way we will overcome the challlengs we face and build a better more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.
"I pledge that I will serve with integrity and humility and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people."
Rishi Sunak won’t enter Downing Street today
Rishi Sunak isn't expected to enter Downing Street today as the timetable for the handover of power is worked out.
It is thought it could be Tuesday when the new Tory leader moves in, and Liz Truss leaves only weeks after she became prime minister.
Downing Street confirmed that the transition "won't take place today" and discussions are underway with Sunak, Truss and the Palace.
The outgonig leader could also give a farewell speech and her spokeswoman refused to rule out her giving out a slew of resignation honours - despite being in office less than 50 days.
No10 was unable to immediately guarantee whether it would be Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak giving PMQs on Wednesday, though it is widely expected to be Mr Sunak.
A No10 spokesman said they would “make sure we have a smooth and efficient process as we did previously” and Sky News reported that King Charles III is on his way back to London.
Rishi Sunak to make first speech since winning Tory party leadership inside CCHQ
Rishi Sunak is set to make his first speech since winning Tory party leadership inside of the Conservative Campaign Headquaters.
Sunak is expected to deliver his first words shortly and will speak out for the first time in weeks.
Earlier this afternoon, he walked into CCHQ to rapturous applause from his MPs.
UK gets its fifth prime minister in just over six years
The UK is soon to move onto its fifth prime minister in just over six years.
Amid the ongoing chaotic Tory reign, the country is almost onto its fifth prime minister since the final weeks of David Cameron's premiership in 2016.
After Cameron walked away following the Brexit vote, Theresa May got the top job, just to eventually be forced out to make way for Boris Johnson.
Then, after Johnson's undignified fall from fame and a brief stint as prime minister for Liz Truss, the country is now readying for another Tory leader in Rishi Sunak.
Rishi Sunak arrives at Conservative Party HQ
Rishi Sunak has arrived at Conservative Party HQ to applause and cheering from his MPs.
After winning the vote today, the newly decided prime minister was cheered by his party on arrival.
He was first greeted by Conservative Party chairman Jake Berry, as well as close ally and Treasury Select Committee chairman Mel Stride and Tory MP Alex Chalk.
But whilst his party might be celebrating following another chaotic few weeks in the party, Sunak's in-tray is just piling up with a number of severe problems.
Penny Mordaunt fell just short of nominations to get onto ballot paper
Tory MP Bob Seely, who backed Penny Mordaunt for leader, has said she fell just short of the nominations needed to make it onto the ballot paper.
He told Sky News: "We were pretty close, it was touch and go. When I spoke to people last night they were coming over but clearly not quite enough.
"Maybe with a bit more time we could have got over the line. But Rishi (Sunak) to be fair to him had built up a good momentum."
While he said he was "disappointed" Ms Mordaunt did not make it, the party now had to rally around Mr Sunak.
"We have to remember that our opponents are in front of us in the House of Commons not behind us," he said.
"We have got to come together, we have got to make this work. Rishi was a fantastic chancellor. I am sure he will be a great prime minister."
Ex-PM Theresa May leads Tory MPs in support for new leader as party tries to show unity after months of chaos
Ex-prime minister Theresa May is one of a number of Tory MPs who have spoken out in support for new PM Rishi Sunak as the party tries to show unity.
The once leader of the Conservative party said the unelected Sunak would "provide the calm, competent, pragmatic leadership our country needs at this deeply challenging time."
She added he had her full support and was one of a number of Tories to rally behind the new leader after months of chaos in the party.
Another former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed that and said there was "no other choice" for his party but to back Sunak and that his ascent to power had brought the chaos "to an end".
Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who had backed Boris Johnson, also sent her congratulations to Rishi Sunak.
She tweeted: “Congratulations @RishiSunak! I am looking forward to working with him to deliver a strong economic plan, lower inflation, on UK’s energy security & resilience; and to provide continued support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”
More MPs spoke out in an attempt to show real unity in the party after weeks if not months of infighting that has fractured the party since the summer.
Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey, a close ally of Liz Truss, said that the Tory party must now get behind Rishi Sunak.
Asked by reporters if Mr Sunak was an election winner, she said: “I think he certainly won an election this week.”
“We need to get behind him and I will do whatever I can to help support him in making sure that he is in the best place possible in his role as prime minister but also in winning the next election.”
Opposition parties renew calls for general election as Sunak sweeps into power
Opposition parties have renewed their calls for a general election, as the Tories move on to their third prime minister since the last public vote in 2019.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: "Rishi Sunak has no mandate and no idea what working people need.
"We need a general election so the public get a say on the future of Britain - and the chance for a fresh start with Labour."
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford made the same demand and said his party would back Labour in a vote of no confidence if they tabled one.
The Green Party added its voice to those calls, with the party's co-leader Adrian Ramsay saying: "The country cannot afford more divisive infighting amongst a few elitist Conservatives whose policies are failing people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis."
Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry called for an end to Tory infighting, saying: "Now is the time for the whole party to come together and unite four-square behind Rishi, as he gets on with the vital work of tackling the challenges we face as a country.
"The time for internal debates is well and truly over, and led by Rishi Sunak, I know we can and will deliver on the priorities of the British people."
Sunak rules out calling an election
Rishi Sunak has RULED OUT calling an early general election after he was named Prime Minister without winning a single vote or saying a single word.
Mr Sunak gave his first speech after being named Prime Minister - to his own MPs in private behind a heavy wooden door in Committee Room 14 of Parliament.
A Tory MP said Rishi Sunak’s message to the party was also that “we must unite or die and deliver for our country”.
Liz Truss breaks her silence
Prime Minister Liz Truss congratulated Rishi Sunak on being appointed Tory leader and told him on Twitter that "you have my full support".
She was the shortest-serving PM, resigning after 44 days.
Sunak's journey from MP to PM
Rishi Sunak has enjoyed the fastest journey in modern political history from starting as an MP to becoming prime minister.
He first entered the House of Commons at the 2015 general election, when he won the seat of Richmond in North Yorkshire with 51% of the vote.
He held the seat at the 2017 and 2019 elections, winning an increased share of 64% of the vote on both occasions.
It has taken Mr Sunak only seven years to go from being a new MP to becoming the new Prime Minister.
No other politician in modern times has made the same journey in a shorter period.
The previous record holder was David Cameron, who took nine years, while both Boris Johnson and John Major needed 11 and Liz Truss 12.
Tony Blair took 14 years from becoming an MP in 1983 to entering Downing Street in 1997.
Other prime ministers have typically needed around two decades or more to climb to the top.
Theresa May and Harold Wilson both took 19 years, while Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher took 20.
Gordon Brown had to wait much longer than many of his contemporaries, with a total of 24 years between his debut as an MP in 1983 and the start of his premiership in 2007.
But even this was not quite as long a wait as that experienced by Jim Callaghan, who took 31 years from starting as an MP in 1945 to becoming Labour prime minister in 1976.
'Best leader's speech'
Tory MP Sir Gary Streeter said Rishi Sunak's address was the "best leader's speech at the 1922 committee I have heard in 30 years at Westminster".
"We made the right choice," he added.
Nicola Sturgeon demands Rishi Sunak calls for an election
The First Minister of Scotland tweeted: "Congratulations to @RishiSunak - I wish him well and, notwithstanding our political differences, will do my best to build a constructive working relationship with him in the interests of those we serve.
"2/ That he becomes the first British Asian to become PM is a genuinely significant moment. It certainly makes this a special #Diwali
"3/ As for the politics, I’d suggest one immediate decision he should take and one he certainly should not. He should call an early General Election. And he should not - must not - unleash another round of austerity. Our public services will not withstand that.
"4/ For Scotland, of course, he becomes another PM we did not and, without doubt would not vote for even if given the chance. To escape the damage of Westminster governments with no mandate here, and take our future into our own hands, Scotland needs independence."
Sunak arrives to address MPs
Rishi Sunak was given a loud welcome as he arrived to address Tory backbenchers.
The smiling party leader, in keeping with the rest of this leadership race, made no comment as he entered committee room 14.
He'll be addressing the powerful 1922 Committee for the first time since learning he's the new party leader.
His predecessor Theresa May and Iain Duncan Smith are among those in the room waiting for him.
No sign, however, of Boris Johnson.
From the outside, it sounds like Tory MPs are enthusiastically embracing their new leader. The sound of desks being banged - a traditional show of support at these meetings - is heard from the corridor at regular intervals.
Mordaunt vows to support Sunak
Penny Mordaunt has arrived ahead of Rishi Sunak's first address to MPs since becoming Prime Minister.
Penny Mordaunt told reporters out side Committee Room 14 that "I'm going to support the new PM" and that she's "good" as she walks into the room.
There's a loud banging on desks after she enters.
Rishi Sunak becomes new PM without winning a single vote
Rishi Sunak was announced as the UK's new Prime Minister after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the race moments before the 2pm deadline for MP nominations.
This means Sunak has secured the keys to No10 without having a single vote cast.
The Tory Party tweeted their congratulations saying Sunak was "elected" - which isn't the case.
The public has once again been relegated to spectate from behind the glass of the Tory Party zoo as a new leader is chosen without a general election.
“Elected” without a single vote cast pic.twitter.com/XGExkux4eSMordaunt's statement in full
Penny Mordaunt conceded the Tory leadership race to Rishi Sunak and said he has her "full support".
In a statement posted on Twitter, Ms Mordaunt said: "Our Party is our membership. Whether we are elected representatives, activists, fundraisers or supporters. We all have a stake in who our leader is.
"These are unprecedented times. Despite the compressed timetable for the leadership contest, it is clear that colleagues feel we need certainty today. They have taken this decision in good faith for the good of the country.
"Members should know that this proposition has been fairly and thoroughly tested by the agreed 1922 process.
"As a result, we have now chosen our next Prime Minister. This decision is a historic one and shows, once again, the diversity and talent of our party. Rishi has my full support.
"I am proud of the campaign we ran and grateful to all those, across all sides of our party, who gave me their backing.
"We all owe it to the country, to each other and to Rishi to unite and work together for the good of the nation. There is much work to be done."
Sunak will address MPs at 2.30pm
Rishi Sunak will address MPs after becoming the next Prime Minister.
He secured the position after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the race minutes before the 2pm deadline.
Sunak confirmed as the next PM
Quiet fell in the room as word filtered through that Penny Mordaunt conceded. Lots of MPs glued to their phones following the dramatic announcement.
ERG chairman Mark Francois looks relaxed as he takes his seat. Earlier the group was unable to settle on a candidate after hearing from both, but he smiles as he chats to colleagues on the sidelines.
Lots of thumping on the tables as Graham Brady and the 1922 leaders take their places.
By now the word had filtered through that this was a one-horse race. Sir Graham said: "I can confirm that we have received one..." at which point he was drowned out by exuberant members. "Rishi Sunak is therefore elected," he said.
Penny Mordaunt drops out of the race
Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the race moments before the 2pm deadline.
pic.twitter.com/w76rEvJdyQMordaunt supporter switches teams
George Freeman has swapped his support from Mordaunt to Sunak in the final hours of today's nail-biting leadership race.
Former Penny Mordaunt backer George Freeman has said switching his support to Rishi Sunak had been a "difficult" decision.
Mr Freeman said Ms Mordaunt had been "disappointed" when he informed her but had told him that she had the 100 supporters needed to make it onto the ballot paper.
"It is a difficult conversation. She's disappointed. She says, and I believe her actually, that she has got a hundred supporters, so she may well go on," he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme.
"I have a difficult decision to make. I have to do what I think is right for my country."
New PM will be 2nd of King Charles' reign
The new PM will be the King's next second premier of the His Majesty's reign which is only just over six weeks old.
As head of state, it is the King's duty to appoint the prime minister who leads His Majesty's Government.
The Royal Encyclopaedia states that the appointment of a prime minister is "one of the few remaining personal prerogatives of the sovereign".
The monarch does not act on advice nor need to consult anyone before calling upon a politician to form a government.
But the overriding requirement is to appoint someone who can command the confidence of the House of Commons - which usually means the leader of the party with an overall majority of seats in the Commons.
During the Buckingham Palace audience, expected in the next few days, the monarch - as is his constitutional duty - will offer whoever becomes leader of the Conservative Party the opportunity to form a new government and become premier of the UK.
After a new leader of the country has been appointed, the Court Circular will record that "the Prime Minister kissed hands on appointment".
This is not literally the case, and it is usually a handshake.
Before seeing the new premier, the King will hold an audience with outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss, who is likely to be joined at the end of the meeting by her husband Hugh O'Leary.
One Nation Caucus does not select a candidate to back
A statement from the Rt. Hon. Damian Green MP, Chair of the One Nation Caucus, on behalf of the Caucus: “Following a meeting of the One Nation Caucus this morning, members agreed that they would wholeheartedly support whoever emerges as Prime Minister and that they welcomed the prospect of a moderate, pragmatic Conservative Government.
"This will provide the stability the country needs.”
MP Amanda Milling declares her support for Rishi Sunak
Ms Milling held a series of important cabinet roles in Mr Johnson's government, including chairman of the Conservative Party and deputy chief whip.
New Tory Prime Minister faces biggest Labour poll lead in 25 years
The new Conservative Prime Minister will take office with their party trailing Labour in the polls by the largest gap for half a century.
The race between Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt for the top spot comes as the Tories' seven-day poll average sits at 20 per cent, 33 points behind Labour on 53 per cent.
The last time Labour enjoyed leads that regularly averaged 30 or more percentage points before this year was in the months directly after the general election of 1997, when Tony Blair led the party to a 179-seat majority.
A majority of polling companies have in recent days shown Labour's lead to be in the very high 20s or low 30s, though three have put it even higher, up to 39 per cent.
Meanwhile, the figures from People Polling put the Conservatives on 14 per cent.
Mordaunt supporter urges her to step back
Penny Mordaunt has faced a public blow hours before nominations are set to close today.
George Freeman, an MP who announced support for her, has now urged her to step down and let Rishi Sunak take the top spot.
He's urging for Ms Mordaunt let Mr Sunak lead in order to unite the Tory Party, which has been tarred with scandal and disastrous policies.
He tweeted: "Penny Mordaunt is a huge force for Conservatism; with the life-story, vision & courage to help lead a Conservative revival.
"I’m proud to support her. But given the urgent need for Conservative Stability + Unity this week, I’m urging her to join & back @RishiSunak today."
Penny Mordaunt is a huge force for Conservatism; with the life-story, vision & courage to help lead a Conservative revival. I’m proud to support her.
But given the urgent need for Conservative Stability + Unity this week, I’m urging her to join & back @RishiSunak today. https://t.co/9mnn4XYB7D
Johnson ally says he 'has killed off his future' after pulling out of leadership race
Boris Johnson’s own supporters last night warned he has “no future” in government while he suggested he still has his eyes on the keys to No10.
The ex-PM is threatening to make yet another comeback attempt and take the Tories into the next general election.
As he announced he was pulling out of the race to succeed Liz Truss on Sunday evening, Mr Johnson insisted he is “well–placed to deliver a Conservative victory in 2024”.
Indicating he has not closed the door on his ambition to return to Downing Street, he added: “I believe I have much to offer, but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time."
But Mr Johnson’s backers last night expressed anger with how he had convinced them to support him, only for him to withdraw.
One told the Mirror: “The future? He has f**king killed off any ‘future’ he had.”
Sunak's support continues to grow
Rishi Sunak is nearing 200 public backers - but Penny Mordaunt has not added a single one to her public tally of 27 in hours.
Mordaunt's campaign has claimed they have reached 90 backers but that public figure has yet to budge.
Meanwhile, support for Sunak is appearing to swell with heavyweight Tories such as Ian Duncan Smith throwing their support behind him.
Former Tory Party leader throws support behind Sunak
Ian Duncan Smith throws his support behind Rushi Sunak.
Mr Smith served as leader of the Conservative Party from 2001 to 2003 and is the MP for Chingford and Woodford Green.
The staunch Brexiteer who previously backed Liz Truss during the leadership contest over the summer has now thrown his support behind Sunak.
He tweeted: "It is time for us to end the leadership contest and get a PM in place ASAP.
"I have reached the decision that senior experience at the heart of government matters most. To that end I shall support @RishiSunak"
It is time for us to end the leadership contest and get a PM in place ASAP.
I have reached the decision that senior experience at the heart of government matters most. To that end I shall support @RishiSunak.
The Mirror demands a general election NOW
The British public has made their disgust for the Tory Government crystal clear as our Mirror petition for a general election hits 100,000 signatures.
Liz Truss left her mark in history books as the shortest-serving Prime Minister in Britain following a disastrous six weeks.
The public will once again be relegated - for the fourth time in six years - to spectate from behind the glass of the Tory Party zoo and watch MPs and out-of-touch party members select a new leader.
Gina Miller launches campaign to personally oust Tory Chris Grayling
Campaigner Gina Miller has announced she will run for Parliament against catastrophe-prone Tory Chris Grayling.
The former Cabinet minister nicknamed ‘Failing Grayling’ has a majority of nearly 18,000 in Epsom and Ewell.
But Ms Miller, who took the government to court over Brexit, said she will take him on at the next election after launching her own party called True and Fair.
She described the ex-Transport Secretary as the “dreadful epitome of a dozen years of narcissistic and incompetent Tory rule”.
Candidates for her new party will also take on controversial Tories Nadine Dorries in Mid Bedfordshire and Esther McVey in Tatton.
ERG doesn't endorse a single candidate
The European Research Group of right-wing Brexiteer Tories has failed to unite around a single candidate, in a glimmer of hope for Penny Mordaunt.
ERG chairman Mark Francois said: “We believe we have one and potentially two extremely strong options to be the leader of the Conservative Party.
“But as a group, we were unable to collectively endorse either candidate.”
He said members had spoken to both candidates and both had promised to take a “very robust line on the Northern Ireland Protocol”.
Zahawi ridiculed for massive U-turn
Cabinet Minister Nadhim Zahawi has been ridiculed for publicly backing Boris Johnson and then switching to Rishi Sunak half an hour later.
The top Tory performed a screeching U-turn when Mr Johnson pulled out of the race last night.
In a piece for the Telegraph, which went live at 9pm on Sunday, Mr Zahawi urged Brits to "get ready for Boris 2.0, the man who will make Tories and Britain great again".
But at the exact same minute, the piece was published, Mr Johnson confirmed he was pulling out of the race, leaving his arch-rival Rishi Sunak in pole position to become Prime Minister.
Sunak could become the youngest UK PM in modern history
If Rishi Sunak wins, he will become the youngest UK prime minister in modern political history.
At 42 he is a year younger than the current record-holder, David Cameron, who was 43 when he became PM in 2010.
Tony Blair was also 43 when he became prime minister in 1997 but was a few months older than Mr Cameron at the time both won power.
Outgoing prime minister Liz Truss is 47.
Only two other PMs since 1900 have taken office below the age of 50 - John Major (47 in 1990) and Harold Wilson (48 in 1964).
However, Mr Sunak would not be the youngest PM ever to hold office in this country.
As his name suggests, William Pitt the Younger was famous for his youthfulness and was just 24 when he first became prime minister in 1783.
Boris supporter swings towards Rishi
Chris Heaton-Harris, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Daventry, has publicly thrown his support behind Rishi Sunak.
He had previously supported Boris Johnson before he pulled out of the race on Sunday night.
Mr Heaton-Harris tweeted: "Now is the time to put our political differences aside and come together to tackle the issues facing our country. I am going to play my part in doing that by backing @RishiSunak"
Now is the time to put our political differences aside and come together to tackle the issues facing our country.
I am going to play my part in doing that by backing @RishiSunak
Penny Mordaunt 'has 90 supporters'
Just before noon, Penny Mordaunt's campaign claimed she had gained 90 supporters.
The source said: "We have now passed 90. For the sake of the Party, it's important our members have their say."
It comes as one Mordaunt supporter appeared to question if putting differences aside and backing Sunak is the best way forward to unite the Tory Party.
George Freeman, the MP for Mid Norfolk, who isn't part of Mordaunt's campaign tweeted: He wrote: "The KEY Question this morning is whether that Unity & Stability is best served by a contest this week amongst the grassroots members, or MPs putting differences aside & backing @RishiSunak as the Leader-in-Waiting with the economic gravitas and overwhelming MP support to unite."
What time will the next Prime Minister be chosen?
Tory leadership hopefuls, which currently include Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, have until 2pm today to win at least 100 nominations from MPs to get on the ballot for Downing Street.
As there are 357 Tory MPs, a maximum of three possible leaders will be able to enter the race before 2pm today.
If only one candidate secures enough nominations, they are declared the winner and will become our next prime minister.
As it stands, Mr Sunak is certain to be on the ballot and may even be coronated, after getting around 150 public backers, while Ms Mordaunt's position is uncertain as she was hovering on around 25 public backers last night.
Elsewhere, former PM Boris Johnson pulled out of the leadership race last night in a chaotic plot twist.
If both Mr Sunak and Ms Mordaunt get 100 nominations before 2pm, the Tory ballot will take place.
The ballot will be held at 3.30pm on Monday with the result at 6pm. The candidate with the fewest MP supporters will then be knocked out of the leadership race.
How is the next Prime Minister chosen?
Tory leadership hopefuls have until 2pm today to win at least 100 nominations from MPs to get on the ballot for Downing Street.
There are 357 Tory MPs, so a maximum of three possible leaders will be able to enter the race.
If only one candidate secures enough nominations, they are declared the winner and will become our next Prime Minister.
The Tory 1922 Committee is expected to announce who has been successful almost immediately after the 2pm deadline.
MP ballots would then be held tonight before a vote of all 172,000 party members, which closes at 11am on Friday.
The winner would be announced that day and visit the King either on Friday or Saturday to become PM.
Nominations opened on October 21 and MPs had this weekend to garner support from colleagues.
By the time nominations close at 2pm on Monday, they need to have at least 100 MP nominees to get on the ballot paper.
There are 357 Tory MPs, so that means a maximum of three MPs will be able to get on the ballot paper.
Penny Mordaunt remains confident in the race
Penny Mordaunt is "getting the numbers" required to face Rishi Sunak in a ballot of Tory members and is "in it to win it", according to her campaign.
A spokeswoman said: "Penny is speaking to colleagues from across the party. She's getting the numbers and she's in it to win it."
Nominations flooding in for Sunak
Nominations are flooding in for Rishi Sunak as MPs get the train into Westminster from their constituencies this morning.
The frontrunner sailed past 179 public backers - half the parliamentary party - before 11am.
But his rival Penny Mordaunt has plateaued and is stuck on around 27 backers, according to the Mirror's count.
Once secret backers are included she is ‘very’ close to the 100 nominations she needs by 2pm to get on the ballot, a source on her campaign claimed to the Mirror.
But while this is statistically possible it is becoming increasingly unlikely as key figures like Brandon Lewis, Priti Patel, Michael Gove and Simon Clarke backed Mr Sunak this morning.
Even if she creeps over the 100 threshold, an "indicative vote" of MPs - with the result announced at 6pm - will heap pressure on her to pull out of the race and back a unity candidate.
Rishi Sunak could become PM TODAY
Rishi Sunak is on course to be named as the next Prime Minister as early as today after Boris Johnsonbottled his leadership bid.
The former Chancellor has secured the backing of more than 150 Conservative MPs with only hours left until the 2pm nomination deadline to be Tory leader.
Rival Penny Mordaunt has refused to bow out and is scrambling to hit the 100-MP threshold to get onto the ballot paper, with fewer than 30 publicly declared backers.
Ms Mordaunt is "very" close to the 100 nominations she needs, a source on her campaign told the Mirror.
Both candidates are battling to persuade Mr Johnson's supporters to switch allegiance after the scandal-hit former PM sensationally pulled out of the race on Sunday night.
Mr Sunak, who lost out to Liz Truss in the summer leadership contest, will be handed the keys to No10 if Ms Mordaunt fails to get onto the ballot paper. More than 150 MPs have not declared.
The new PM will not be officially confirmed until they are invited to form a government by King Charles.
Read more here
Who's backing who for next Prime Minister?
Candidates need 100 MP nominations each by 2pm on Monday to get on the ballot paper.
Only a maximum of three MPs will be able to get through. If all three do so, they will be knocked down to two who go to a vote of party members before Friday.
Boris Johnson's original backers include Cabinet ministers James Cleverly, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Nadhim Zahawi, Ben Wallace, Chris Heaton-Harris, Alok Sharma, Simon Clarke and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
But Rishi Sunak won the backing of Mr Johnson's former chief of staff Steve Barclay, his former Brexit chief Lord Frost, ex-veterans minister Johnny Mercer and Brexiteer Steve Baker who said a Johnson premiership would be a "guaranteed disaster".
Crucially Mr Sunak also won the backing of right-wingers including Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves said the keys to No10 should not be handed around in a game of “pass-the-parcel” as calls grow for a general election.
NB: Sourced from one of our partners MIRRORS
Comments