Theresa May exit: Nine potential candidates to be next Prime Minister

Theresa May fired the starting gun on a Tory leadership race when she announced her plans to step down today.

By Ross Robertson
Friday, 24 May, 2019, 11:26
Theresa May

Here are nine of the MPs who have suggested, or stated, they will stand for the job. Related: Theresa May sheds tears as she confirms date she will stand down as Tory party leader

Teased "you'll just have to wait and see" whether he chooses to run. The 49-year-old is expected to be a popular candidate, with policies including his hard stance on Shamima Begum boosting his position among some colleagues.
The 40-year-old has refused to rule himself out and said he has a "strong view about the sort of leader we need". A leader should put the Tories "four-square in the centre ground", Mr Hancock believes.
Ms Truss, 43, is among a few Tory MPs to have used social media to hint at a possible leadership bid. She has said the Conservative party needs to "reinvent" itself.
Mr Johnson, 54, is considered by most as the favourite to win the leadership race. He has already confirmed he will stand, telling a business event "of course I'm going to go for it".

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The 46-year-old told The Spectator: "If you want someone who really enjoys doing stuff and loves government and is really proud of the country and feel that's their thing, I'm really enthusiastic.
Said the next leader should be someone who "believes in Brexit" as she hinted at a leadership bid. Ms McVey, 51, who quit the Cabinet over Brexit in November, has said it is "essential" Britain leaves the EU by the end of October.
Ms Leadsom, 56, previously said she was "seriously considering" running for the leadership. She described the UK's continued membership of the EU as "disgusting" and said a Eurosceptic prime minister would have delivered Brexit already.
The 52-year-old identifies as a one-nation conservative, campaigned for Remain in the 2016 referendum and would be a moderate candidate on Brexit in the leadership election.
The 55-year-old said she is "keeping the door slightly ajar" to the possibility. One of the most senior Remain-supporting Tories, she has regained standing in the Government since resigning in April 2018 over the Windrush scandal.