The 1922 Committee has drawn up its recommendations for the conduct of the upcoming leadership contest. These will need to be approved by the Board of the Party, which is meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The proposals are these:
Nominations
- Open: 7pm, Wednesday 24 July
- Close: 2.30pm, Monday 29 July
- Requirements: Each candidate will require a proposer, seconder, and eight further nominations (max 11 possible candidates)
First Round
- Campaigning in August
- Parliamentary party then will whittle initial pool down to four candidates
- Voting held on 4, 9, 10, and 11 September
Second Round
- Final four will be given prominent speaking slots at Party Conference (29 September – 2 October)
- Parliamentary party then winnows pool down to two candidates
- Voting held on 9 and 10 October
Membership Round
- Online ballot of party members
- Voting closes 5pm on 31 October
- To vote, must have been a member for 90 days before the ballot closes, and an “active member at the time of the nominations”
- Final result announced on 2 November
There will be no interim leader whilst the contest takes place. Rishi Sunak will remain in post until the new leader is announced in November. Bob Blackman, Chairman of the 1922 Committee, will serve as returning officer.
