Following meetings of the 1922 Executive Committee and the
Conservative Party Board, the rules on how the Conservative Party
leadership contest will proceed have been agreed.
has formally stepped down as
Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party, therefore the
process to elect a new Leader will begin.
The Rt Hon MP will remain Acting Leader
of the party until a successor is appointed on Saturday 2nd
November 2024.
Candidates will need a proposer, a seconder and 8 nominations to
proceed to the ballot. Nominations open Wednesday 24th July
at 1900hrs and will close at 1430hrs on Monday 29th July
2024.
The parliamentary party will narrow down to four candidates, who
will make their case to Conservative Party members at the
Conservative Party Conference.
The parliamentary party will then whittle it down to the final
two candidates, who will then be subject to a vote by
Conservative Party members
MP will act as returning officer for the
election.
Once the parliamentary process is completed, CCHQ will assume
responsibility for the administration of the vote of the
Conservative Party membership.
The ballot of Party members will be conducted via secure online
voting. The ballot will close at 1700hrs on Thursday 31st October
– the result will be announced on Saturday 2nd November. Only
members, who have been a member for 90 days or more prior to the
ballot closing, and have been an active member at the time of the
nominations for candidates opening, will be eligible to
vote.
Rt Hon MP, Leader of the Conservative
Party, said:
“It's in the national interest for us to have a smooth and
orderly transition to a new Leader of the Opposition so I will
stay in post until November 2nd, and the result of our leadership
election.
“This will allow our party to fulfil its role as the official
opposition professionally and effectively. I believe this is what
is best for the Conservative Party and, most importantly, our
country.
“It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment about the
leadership campaign or candidates. I am confident that this
timetable decided by the Party Board and the 1922 Committee will
allow for a thoughtful, professional and respectful contest.”
MP, Chairman of the 1922 Committee, said:
“Following discussions between the Party Board and the 1922
executive, the timetable for the election of a new leader of the
Conservative Party has been agreed.
“Over August, candidates will be able to engage with the
voluntary party before in September, the parliamentary party
selects 4 candidates to go to conference. The
parliamentary party will then pick the 2 candidates who go
forward to the members ballot with the new leader elected on the
2nd of November.
“I am determined that our party will have a respectful and
thorough leadership debate. I believe that this timetable will
allow for this.
“While there are significant debates to be had about our party's
future, we must remember that the country—and our members—want to
see us engaged in proper debate not personal attacks.
“I am confident that this process will allow for this. I am
delighted that will remain in post until the
2nd of November and the election of a new leader. This will allow
for a smooth and orderly process.”
MP, Chairman of the
Conservative Party, said:
“This process has party members at its heart.
“I very much welcome Rishi Sunak's decision to remain as leader
until the election of a new leader thereby enabling this full
engagement of candidates with members.
“Party conference will be a great opportunity for our hard
working volunteers to meet the leading candidates and make their
views known to MPs before the final two candidates are put to a
final vote by Party members.
“Party members will be the voice of this leadership
campaign.”
