New Conservative Party leader

The Conservative Party is set to begin a three-month leadership contest, culminating in the election of a new leader on November 2. Nominations will open this week, requiring candidates to secure a proposer, a seconder, and eight nominations to advance. The final four candidates will present their cases at the Conservative conference before MPs narrow the field to two, with the ultimate decision resting with party members. Rishi Sunak will continue as acting leader until a successor is appointed, despite earlier indications he wished to resign sooner. Potential candidates include Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Priti Patel, among others, with Badenoch being viewed as a frontrunner among the grassroots. The extended timetable has drawn mixed reactions, with some arguing it could weaken the party's position against Labour and Reform UK.