UK Defense Minister Wallace rules himself out of leadership race

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Jul 2022 15:20

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace chooses to quit the leadership race and "focus on his current job."

UK Defense Minister Wallace rules himself out of the leadership race.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, one of the frontrunners to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson, announced on Saturday that he would not compete in the leadership election.

"After careful consideration and discussing with colleagues and family, I have taken the decision not to enter the contest for leadership of the Conservative Party," Wallace said on Twitter.

"It has not been an easy choice to make, but my focus is on my current job and keeping this great country safe."

It seems that the public has to think about a replacement for #BorisJohnson in case he is ousted, especially after the many rapid resignations his troubled government is facing. pic.twitter.com/NIrzrFf3JP
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 6, 2022

Earlier, a YouGov poll of Tory members published by The Daily Telegraph showed that UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace became the frontrunner to become the Prime Minister.

It is noteworthy that the Tory party's 1922 Committee would set a timetable for a leadership contest. For a Tory MP to enter the race for prime minister, they should be nominated by eight colleagues.

If more than one MP wanted to run as prime minister, a series of secret ballots would be held to settle for one Tory nominee.

The YouGov survey showed that Wallace has 13% support ahead of junior minister Penny Mordaunt on 12%, while Sunak is at 10% in the survey.

Jeremy Hunt, Former UK Foreign Secretary, came in on a joint 5% alongside the new Chancellor and former Health and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi.

Zahawi reportedly has been working with Australian political strategist Sir Lynton Crosby, the man behind Boris Johnson's 2019 electoral win.