RISHI Sunak has reportedly urged Sajid Javid to step aside and support his own leadership bid – as 15 more Tories are expected to enter the race.
It’s understood the ex-Chancellor’s allies have contacted Mr Javid’s friends to warn he doesn’t have the support to become PM.
They said the men are competing for the same voters – and Mr Javid must instead step down his bid and back Mr Sunak, according to The Times.
Mr Sunak was the first big beast to go public with his bid to become leader as 19 Tories — including a host of no-marks — weigh up tilts at the top job.
Of that number, more than 15 are expected to take a punt.
However, the race for No10 is expected to be scaled back to just four candidates by next week.
The party’s ruling backbench 1922 Committee will meet on Monday to determine the length of the contest and raise the bar to avoid no-hopers slowing it down.
It is expected that candidates will have to secure the names of 20 colleagues to get on the ballot.
Boris Johnson has vowed to stay on until his successor is appointed.
The new prime minister will be in place by September 5, The Telegraph reports.
A senior party source told the paper: “We want to reduce the field to serious candidates and if you can’t get a reasonable proportion of the party to support you, we don’t want grandstanders.”
Mr Sunak is currently the clear favourite with bookies.
The 42-year-old has unveiled a website as part of a polished campaign launch, with the slogan ‘Ready For Rishi’.
And it’s claimed Mr Javid’s colleagues have already turned against him, with sources saying he “completely lost the room” while delivering his resignation statement in the Commons.
However, the battle for the job is set to be a bloody one, with runners and riders queuing up to launch their bids.
Moderate Tom Tugendhat, another declared candidate, told Trending In The News he would slash VAT and business tax, plus tariffs on imported food and clothes.
Liz Truss, who also plans to run, told colleagues she is the only contender who can keep the Boris legacy going.
It comes as:
- Rishi Sunak launches his leadership bid – but offers no quick fixes for cost-of-living crisis
- A major crunch meeting on Monday will decide how long Boris stays on
- Nadhim Zahawi says he’ll slash taxes as he prepares to run
- Top Tories have demanded that the PM is replaced as quickly as possible
- And Mr Johnson’s new team was thrown together so quickly it’s been dubbed the ‘Ikea cabinet’
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was discussing a leadership bid with his family, with allies confident he has the support to get on the ballot.
Boris assassin Mr Javid has not yet announced his candidacy, although it’s expected both he and current Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi are poised to do so in the coming days.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is considering an outsider bid, with Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt an activists’ fave.
Allies say former Health Secretary and 2019 runner up Jeremy Hunt was “certain to run” and friends of ultra-Boris loyalist Nadine Dorries said she was considering running to “keep the BoJo flame alive”.
Former equalities minister Kemi Badenoch has announced her candidacy, and appears to be backing lower taxes and a “limited Government focused on the essentials”.
Suella Braverman was the first to announce she’d run. She received a major boost after leading Brexiteer Steve Baker decided not to compete and threw his weight behind her instead.
Ladbrokes says Braverman is the “one to watch”, with her odds slashed from 100/1 at the start of the week to just 20/1 this morning.
