The process to replace Boris Johnson as the head of the Conservative Party and therefore the British Prime Minister will begin this Wednesday, July 13. Between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. local time (between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. French time), Tory delegates will vote in the first round of ballots intended to eliminate the eight candidates one by one. working

The names of the two finalists in this internal election will not be known after Thursday, July 21. Around 100,000 members of the Conservative Party have until the end of August to decide between themselves. In the final stage, the name of the winner will be revealed on September 5. At the end of his first interview with Queen Elizabeth, this official will replace Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street.

Return to “Orthodox principles”.

This particular electoral system strongly influences the content of the campaign. Members of the Tory Party align with the ideology promoted by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s and 1990s, marked by Euroscepticism and economic liberalism. In the past, they have sometimes chosen the most radical candidates available to them, even if the opponent seems better able to attract the undecided vote.

In the absence of a standout loved one, this choice is not immune to a form of radicalization. The speeches and interviews granted by the candidates marked the run-up to the one-upmanship. Always on the same two themes: the economy and Europe.

Three years after marking Boris Johnson’s desire to invest in developing and improving public services, young MP Kemi Badenoch has summed up the will of his people. “Orthodox Principles” : “Free markets, limited government, strong nation states. »

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, one of the frontrunners, listens “Cut taxes from day one to take immediate action to help people cope with the rising cost of living.” If elected, she would reverse the national insurance increase that came into effect in April (a measure common to most candidates).

Contrary to public opinion

Finally, corporate income tax will be ensured “Remaining competitive to attract business and investment to Britain”. Established at 19% from 2017, it will rise to 25% next year for companies with profits above €290,000.

In comparison, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, who was presented as Priyanka, kept a low profile during his presentation on Tuesday, July 12. He promised to cut taxes “If we get inflation under control (…) It’s a question of when, or if…”

On the question of Europe, neither candidate expressed the possibility of backtracking on the bill, which is intended to no longer apply all measures of the protocol to Northern Ireland, one of the parties to the agreement. So no one disputes the possibility of a latent trade conflict with the EU. Even Tom Tugendhat, considered the most pro-European of the candidates, whose wife is not French. He sees in the bill “A lever » In negotiations with the European Union to ensure maintenance “The Sovereignty and Unity of the United Kingdom”.