The race to be Britain’s next prime minister will be mostly conducted behind closed doors, as contenders embark on a frantic weekend of lobbying Conservative lawmakers to get onto Monday’s party ballot.
Liz Truss’s dramatic resignation on Thursday triggered a leadership contest that, coming so soon after the bitter one that put her into No. 10 Downing Street, is likely to deepen divisions in the party that look all but impossible to heal.
No candidate has formally declared their intention to run as they work behind the scenes to win the backing of 100 MPs needed to contest the vote. The void has given supporters of Boris Johnson, the former leader ousted in disgrace in July, space to push for what would be an extraordinary comeback.