THE Tories will unveil a new leader on November 2 in plans drawn up by party chiefs, The Sun can reveal.
But questions remain over whether Rishi Sunak will want to stay on that long as Leader of the Opposition with the final plan awaiting approval by the Conservative Party‘s ruling board.
The Ex-PM made clear he would stay on as leader until the Conservatives had “a process” in place to pick a new leader, meaning the party may need to seek an interim boss for the four months of campaigning.
Under the timetable drawn up by the backbench 1922 Committee on Monday afternoon, four candidates would go before the Conservative Party Conference in October before a postal ballot of members.
Nominations would open this Wednesday July 24 at 7pm, with hopefuls requiring the backing of ten MPs to reach the first round of voting.
After an August of campaigning around the country, Tory MPs would vote in ballots on September 4, 9, 10 and 11 – knocking one candidate out until just four remain.
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Those four would be given prominent speaking slots at the party gathering in Birmingham starting on September 30.
When MPs return to the Commons further votes to whittle the field down to just two would be held on October 9 and 10.
A postal vote of members would be held between the October 15 and 31, with the new leader announced on November 2.
So far more than half a dozen MPs have hinted they will run including ex-Cabinet ministers Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Mel Stride.
Outsider ex-ministers Gareth Davies and Kevin Hollenrake are also understood to be considering bids.
Conservative HQ bosses will meet on Wednesday to approve the proposed dates set out.
