Boris Johnson resigns: sharp elbows withdrawn ahead of Westminster slugging match

But the campaign to become the next British prime minister is likely to be fierce in the weeks ahead

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reads a statement outside 10 Downing Street. PA

Westminster’s corridors, committee rooms and courtyards had largely emptied by Thursday afternoon as Conservative Party members prepared themselves for the coming leadership contest.

Those in the hunt to follow Boris Johnson as Britain’s next prime minister withdrew into their various camps to plot their way to power.

The inevitable sharp elbows, underhand acts and deceits will come back with full fury when the first round of balloting approaches, possibly next week.

But the prospect of inheriting Mr Johnson’s in-tray of Britain’s significant economic challenges, along with the endurance required for a leadership tilt, has already led a number of leading figures to depart.

Michael Gove, the recently sacked housing minister, is said to have ruled himself out, as have Dominic Raab, Andrea Leadsom and Matt Hancock, who all ran in 2019.

The contest could well depend on which candidate Mr Gove and Mr Raab in particular decide to back, and for that pair it will inevitably be a Brexiteer.

That could work handsomely for Rishi Sunak, who went a long way to rehabilitating his reputation when he resigned as chancellor on Tuesday.

There is also useful polling which shows that of all the potential leaders he is the only one who takes a lead in a head-to-head against the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi leaves a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. EPA

He also has considerable personal wealth to fund staffers on his election campaign.

Another person equipped with significant finances is Nadhim Zahawi, the chancellor who accepted his new post and then just a day later urged Mr Johnson to depart.

The Iraqi-born businessman may well use his war chest, persuasive skills and his large Chelsea home to mount an attack. Ministers are not allowed to use their government offices for political means.

But cash is no guarantee of success. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has pushed to the front in early polling among Tory members, with his ability to calmly handle a crisis demonstrated since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Liz Truss, regarded in some areas as a serious contender, will have a mind-focusing 17-hour flight back from a summit in Indonesia to consider her options.

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  Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks into No 10 after resigning as the leader of the Conservative Party. All photos: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

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  Mr Johnson is greeted by staff and his son Wilfred.

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  Staff members rally round Mr Johnson after his speech.

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  He is comforted by his wife Carrie and their children.

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  Mr Johnson hugs his son Wilfred.

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  The prime minister chairs a Cabinet meeting following his announcement.

Despite no longer being in government, Mr Sunak, who would be popular among Tory members, has decamped with his campaign team to a Westminster hotel.

Penny Mordaunt, a Brexiteer and Johnson detractor, has also co-ordinated a leadership unit although it is difficult to measure her popularity among MPs.

The interesting part of a leadership race is that past hatreds or good deeds can be quickly forgotten when hitching to a winning candidate, with the handsome reward of a senior ministerial post.

What will emerge very quickly are those who have taken time to prepare and organise after Mr Johnson’s sudden departure.

The wiliest politicians will understand that numbers are key. Some may adopt whatever means necessary to get votes, while others will allow their character and arguments to win over MPs.

A key question for the Conservatives will be whether they pick someone who is a hardline Brexiteer or a converted Remainer.

Unlike in the 2019 leadership election, however, Brexit is not such a dominating issue, perhaps opening the way for Jeremy Hunt and the inside bet of Tom Tugendhat.

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  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has succumbed to a rebellion in his ruling Conservative Party and said he would stand down as leader. Reuters

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  Several crises, including sleaze allegations against a Conservative MP, had increased the pressure on Mr Johnson. Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street

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  More than 50 members of his government, including health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak, have quit. AP

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  A new Conservative leader will be selected before a party conference is held in October. AP

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  A protester outside Parliament in London. Getty

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  Questions are mounting over how much Mr Johnson knew about accusations of misconduct against MP Christopher Pincher. PA

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  Nadhim Zahawi leaves No 10 Downing Street after being named as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Getty

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  Mr Johnson survived an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him in a vote of confidence in June. PA

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  Mr Johnson leaves the Houses of Parliament after the vote. Tory MPs voted by 211 to 148 in the secret ballot in Westminster. EPA

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  Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announcing the result of the vote. PA

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  A police officer patrols Downing Street on Monday. The vote of no confidence marked the most serious challenge yet to Mr Johnson's three-year tenure as prime minister. EPA

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  A protester holds up an anti-Boris Johnson placard outside parliament in London. EPA

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  Boris Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal. Photo: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

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  A gathering in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street on Mr Johnson's birthday. Photo: Cabinet Office

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  Mr Johnson during a gathering held while lockdown rules were in force across the UK. Photo: Cabinet Office

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  Another gathering at No 10 Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser. Photo: Cabinet Office

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  Mr Johnson apologises to MPs in the House of Commons in April, having been fined after a police probe for attending a party during coronavirus lockdowns imposed by his own government. AFP

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  Mr Johnson was no more than 30 seconds into his speech when the first shout of 'resign' was heard from the opposition benches, followed by 'you’re an embarrassment' and 'just go'. Reuters

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  'I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House,' he said, admitting that 'people had a right to expect better of their prime minister'. AFP

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  The prime minister, pictured with a birthday cake baked for him by school staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead, said it ‘didn't occur’ to him that a gathering on June 19, 2020 to mark his 56th birthday broke coronavirus rules. AFP

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  Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, left, was also fined for attending lockdown parties held in and around Downing Street. AFP

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  Mr Johnson is the first sitting prime minister to be censured for breaking the law, sparking calls from all sides of parliament, including some in his own party, to step down. Reuters

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  A lone protester demonstrates at Downing Street in London. EPA

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  Before the war broke out in Ukraine, Mr Johnson appeared vulnerable to the Partygate controversy. He has been praised by some for his response to the conflict. AFP

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  Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie applaud health workers outside No 10 Downing Street in May 2020. Getty

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  Mr Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons in January on a report regarding the Downing Street parties during lockdown. Reuters

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  A journalist highlights sections of the Sue Gray report. AFP

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  Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of at least 12 'partygate' events under investigation. One occurred on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, at which Queen Elizabeth II had to grieve away from other mourners because of social distancing protocol. Getty

Both are strong “One Nation” Tories, sitting in the centre of the party, and they may seem more able to win an election, which will be important for many MPs, particularly those who have taken Labour seats in northern England.

Also, neither is associated with the toxicity of Mr Johnson’s government. Whether that carries weight will become apparent in the next week when the first ballots are likely to open.

Others considering their position, or declaring an early interest in the premiership, include Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Solicitor General Suella Braverman and new Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland. An early tilt could give them enough attention to at least secure a post in the next administration.

Parliament will be clear of sharp elbows for the next few days. For now, it will be fingers pressing phone buttons.