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Tory leadership race: Date set for handover of power to Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson

Either Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson will be named the new Tory leader on 23 July, and will become prime minister the next day.

By Alan McGuinness, political reporter

Wednesday 26 June 2019 08:44, UK

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: A general view of 10 Downing Street on June 9, 2017 in London, England. After a snap election was called by Prime Minister Theresa May the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday. The closely fought election has failed to return a clear overall majority winner and a hung parliament has been declared. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Image: The transition to the new prime minister is expected to take place on the afternoon of 24 July
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A date for the announcement of Britain's next prime minister has been revealed, with the transfer of power expected to be swift.

Either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt will be named the new leader of the Conservative Party on 23 July.

The leadership ballot will close at 5pm the previous day.

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt
Image: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are battling it out to replace Theresa May

This will bring to an end the final stage of the process, which involves the party's approximately 160,000 members casting their votes.

Once the announcement has been made, the transition to the new prime minister is expected to take place on the afternoon of 24 July.

Theresa May is expected to take her final Prime Minister's Questions, before leaving Number 10 for the final time.

"We would expect the transition to the new prime minister to take place on the Wednesday afternoon, after Prime Minister's Questions," Mrs May's official spokesman said.

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MPs will go off for an almost six-week break the following day, returning on 3 September.

The government has said there is "no intention" to prevent the new prime minister from appearing before parliament before the summer recess.

Commons leader Mel Stride gave the commitment to MPs on Monday.

Theresa May leaves Downing Street
Image: Theresa May will take her final PMQs before leaving Number 10

Speaker John Bercow said he had received assurances from Chief Whip Julian Smith about the importance of Mrs May's successor facing MPs before the recess.

MPs had voiced their fears that the new prime minister may not have the chance to appear before parliament to be held to account.

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During this short time, it is possible the new Tory leader could face a Commons vote to prove they command the confidence of a majority of MPs.

Mr Smith has emailed Tory MPs to let them know there will be a three-line whip in place that week, in a bid to ensure that if a confidence motion is moved by the opposition, it is defeated.

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