Boris Johnson's path to Tory leadership smoothed as planned rule change scrapped

Joseph Watts27 June 2016
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tory chiefs were today set to smooth Boris Johnson’s path to Downing Street by ditching rule changes that supporters believe make it harder for him to win.

Plans to guarantee a woman a slot on the final shortlist were said to be “highly unlikely” by senior party sources, apparently removing one possible problem for Mr Johnson.

The Standard also understands Conservative bosses will set a short contest timetable to minimise uncertainty, another boost for the favourite.

The news came as one Cabinet minister called on Mr Johnson and Home Secretary Theresa May to unite and form a leadership team so a contest could be avoided.

A meeting of the powerful Conservative backbench 1922 Committee was due this afternoon as the frontrunners vied for position.

Path cleared: Boris Johnson leaves his home amid mounting confidence he will be the new PM
Getty

It was reported that some George Osborne supporters wanted rules changed to ensure a woman is on the final shortlist, angering Boris supporters who believe it would give Ms May an advantage.

In the frame: Theresa May
Getty

A Conservative MP connected to the 1922 Committee today said the move was “highly unlikely”, while another senior party source told the Standard: “I have no reason to believe a motion will be moved to require that one of the two put forward is a woman.”

The source went on: “I suspect the weight of views will likely be for doing things quicker rather than slower.”

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, himself considering a leadership bid, had said the period before choosing a winner should be extended.

But a supporter of Mr Johnson told the Standard: “The markets and the country demand we resolve this sooner rather than later. We need leadership and we need stability.”

Ms May is thought to be the main contender to take on Mr Johnson.

Meanwhile, a plot dubbed “ABB”, anyone but Boris, is being run by some MPs determined to see off the former-Mayor’s hopes.

Anyone wishing to stand must have a proposer and a seconder, with MPs then whittling the candidates down to a final shortlist to be put to the membership vote. A question whether more than two contenders should be voted on by members was also due to be settled by the 1922 Committee.

Sources said the idea was unlikely as it would mean MPs reducing their own influence over who wins, something they are sensitive to after Jeremy Corbyn’s election as Labour leader.

One Tory MP said: “In 1998/99 Conservative MPs controlled the whole process. Many MPs thought it would be more sensible to keep that situation. We can see today how sensible that would have been, but having given up the final choice, MPs will want to keep it as ‘a choice’ and not a ‘wider choice’.”

International Development Secretary Justine Greening argued on ITV’s Good Morning Britain for the entire contest to be set aside.

She said: “I think the two clear front-runners are obviously going to be Boris Johnson and Theresa May. I would like to see them unite and bring our party together without the need for a leadership contest.”

After the 1922 Committee make a decision on rules today they will formally adopted by the party board at a meeting tomorrow.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT