The Tory Party will unveil its next leader on November 2 in plans devised by Conservative chiefs, a report has claimed.
Conservative MPs can get the ball rolling on the looming leadership contest from July 24, with nominations opening at 7pm.
Leadership hopefuls will need the backing of just 10 Tory MPs to reach the first round of voting.
A timetable drawn up by the backbench 1922 Committee suggested four candidates would make their pitch before the Conservative Party conference in October, The Sun has claimed.
Tories confirm leadership election plan with crunch battle for top job to begin in days
PA
After nominations open on July 24, MPs will vote in ballots on September 4, 9, 10 and 11.
Leadership hopefuls will spend the summer campaigning around the UK.
The four Conservative contenders who speak at conference will face two more rounds of votes from MPs on October 9 and 10.
Over 100,000 members will then decide who will lead the Tory Party as postal votes get sent out between October 15 and 31.
Conservative bigwigs will meet on Wednesday to approve the proposed dates set out.
However, it is not yet known if Rishi Sunak will want to stay at the helm as Leader of the Opposition until November 2.
The former Prime Minister, who led the Tory Party to its worst defeat since 1906, made clear he would stay put until a “process” was in place to pick his successor.
Sunak’s comment suggested he was open to letting an interim leader take over during the campaign.
GB News revealed earlier this month that some Tories were urging Sir Iain Duncan Smith to take on the role on an interim basis.
A top Tory source said: “I think we should do a long leadership contest and have IDS for the time being as a proper grown up. He’s well-liked across the party and very respected.”
More than half a dozen MPs have so far hinted at launching campaigns to succeed Sunak on a full-time basis, including ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat.
Three former Home Secretaries – Priti Patel, Suella Braverman and James Cleverly – were also reportedly sounding out support for potential bids.
