Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2016

Conservative Party (UK) leadership election

29 June 2016 – 11 July 2016[1]

Candidate Theresa May Andrea Leadsom Michael Gove Popular vote Unopposed Withdrew Eliminated Second ballot 199, 60.5%[2] 84, 25.5%[2] 46, 14.0%[2] First ballot 165, 50.2%[3] 66, 20.1%[3] 48, 14.6%[3]   Candidate Stephen Crabb Liam Fox Second ballot Withdrew[4] Eliminated First ballot 34, 10.3%[3] 16, 4.9%[3]

Leader before election David Cameron Leader after election Theresa May

The 2016 Conservative Party leadership election occurred as a result of David Cameron's resignation as leader following the European Union membership referendum, in which the UK voted to leave the EU. Cameron, who supported Britain's continued membership of the EU, made his announcement on 24 June, saying that he would step down by October. Theresa May won the contest on 11 July 2016 after the withdrawal of Andrea Leadsom left her as the sole candidate. She thus succeeded Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Conservative MPs voted initially in a series of ballots to determine which two candidates' names would go forward to a nationwide ballot of Conservative Party members, who would make the final decision. Five Conservative members of Parliament (MPs) put themselves forward as candidates: Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Stephen Crabb, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Andrea Leadsom, and Home Secretary Theresa May. Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson, seen as the front runner by political analysts, surprised many commentators by choosing not to run after Gove withdrew his backing and announced his own candidacy.

In the first-round ballot, May placed first, gaining the support of half of Conservative MPs, with Leadsom coming in second place. The last-place finisher, Fox, was eliminated on the first ballot and later that day, Crabb withdrew from the contest. Gove was eliminated in the next round of voting. However, with ballots due to be cast by Conservative Party members, Leadsom withdrew from the leadership race on 11 July. This led to May being appointed party leader later that day and Prime Minister on 13 July. May subsequently appointed Johnson, Fox, and Leadsom to her Cabinet as Foreign Secretary, Secretary of State for International Trade, and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, respectively.

Background

During the 2015 general election campaign, David Cameron, then leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister, announced that he would not seek a third term; he was therefore expected to stand down before the next general election, although he spoke of serving a full term.^[5]

Following a manifesto commitment, Cameron and the Conservative Party introduced legislation for a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, which was held on 23 June 2016. Cameron and the Government supported a Remain vote, although the Conservative Party was officially neutral in the campaign and many Conservative politicians, including some Cabinet members, campaigned to Leave. During the campaign, there was speculation as to whether Cameron would resign if Leave won, but on the day of the referendum both Leave and Remain supporting Conservatives called for him to stay whatever the result.

A Leave win was announced on the morning of 24 June 2016 and Cameron announced shortly afterwards that he would be stepping down. He announced that he would continue in post while the leadership election was ongoing, with the new leader to be in place in time for the party conference in October.^[6] However, the unfolding of events would result in a much earlier departure.

The campaign was framed by whether candidates supported Remain or Leave, with initial speculation by some analysts being that a Leave supporter would be more likely to win.^[7] Based on media speculation, the front runners on 29 June were Boris Johnson (Leave) and Theresa May (Remain),^[8] with Johnson the early favourite. Johnson's candidacy was expected to be supported by Michael Gove, the two having worked together for Leave through the referendum campaign. However, earlier that week, May was leading by a narrow margin in opinion polls commissioned by The Times^[9] and by The Independent.^[10]

Three hours before the nominations closed, Michael Gove, previously seen as a key ally to the Johnson campaign, announced his candidacy, stating that he had reluctantly come to the conclusion that Johnson "cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead." Johnson subsequently withdrew from the leadership race.^[11][12] The Telegraph stated that Gove's actions in undermining Johnson's leadership aspirations constituted "the most spectacular political assassination in a generation."^[13] Gove's move was compared to the betrayals of fiction with, for example, Johnson's father, Stanley Johnson, quoting "Et tu Brute".^[14][15] Some of Johnson's allies subsequently began moving to supporting May because they perceived a "systematic and calculated plot" by Gove to remove their candidate from the race.^[16]

By 5 July 2016, Gove was in a distant third place in the leadership race based on the number of endorsements from other MPs. He was eliminated in the second MP ballot.

A post contest analysis in the Daily Telegraph noted that the £275,000 contributions to Theresa May's campaign "dwarfed her rivals" and Cameron's original honours list contained the names of 2 major Conservative party donors who supported her campaign.^[17]

Campaign and key issues

The initial days of the campaign remained overshadowed by the fallout from Gove's entry into the race and Johnson's departure. May gathered the most MP support early on. The current Chief Whip, Gavin Williamson was May's parliamentary campaign manager and responsible for rallying this support together with a small group of MPs, including Julian Smith, Kris Hopkins, Simon Kirby, Karen Bradley and George Hollingberry.^[18] In the initial days of the campaign, Leadsom said that she would not rule out involving Nigel Farage, then the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), in Brexit negotiations; the May campaign criticised Leadsom for claimed UKIP links.^[19] Leadsom had approached the Johnson campaign with a proposed deal not to run in exchange for being made one of his top three ministers. Johnson agreed to the deal, but was too late in communicating the decision and Leadsom chose to run for leader.^[20]

All five candidates for the Conservative leadership have said that they would not call an early general election, relying instead on the Conservative mandate secured at the 2015 election.^[21] All five candidates have also rejected the idea of calling a second referendum on British withdrawal from the EU, pledging to take the UK out of the union, although on different timeframes.^[21]

Among the key issues that emerged during the Conservative leadership campaign were:

• The status of EU citizens living in the UK. The government stated following the EU referendum that the long-term status of EU nationals living in the UK and UK nationals living elsewhere in the EU would be a question for the next government, with the current government saying only that there would be "no immediate change" to EU nationals' status.^[22][23] May has suggested that the status of EU citizens living in the UK could be part of exit negotiations; the other four Conservative leadership candidates opposed this notion, saying that EU nationals living in the UK should not be "negotiating chips" and pledging to allow EU nationals to remain in the country if chosen as prime minister.^[24]
• When to trigger article 50, formally beginning the process of UK withdrawal from the European Union. May and Gove both stated that they would not invoke article 50 before 2017.^[21][25][26] Leadsom has called for a quick invocation of article 50 and short negotiations, although she has not put forth a specific timeframe.^[21][25][27] Fox put forth a specific date, saying: "I would like to see us leaving the EU on January 1, 2019. That means we will have to activate the Article 50 process by the end of this year."^[21][27]
• What level of access to the European single market Britain should seek, and the future of migration policy and the free movement of EU nationals in the UK.^[27][28] Fox, the most right-wing of the five candidates, said that he only supported membership in the single market if the UK was allowed to completely opt-out of the free movement of people, which is viewed as extremely unlikely.^[28] Gove and Leadsom have taken a tough line of free movement, with Gove pledging to "end free movement [and] introduce an Australian-style points-based system for immigration" and Leadsom pledging that free movement "will end" without mentioning the single market.^[28] Crabb has taken what The Week described as "the most pro-single market stance" of the candidates, saying it was "vital" for the UK to have "as close an economic relationship with the EU as we have now" while also speaking of "controlling" immigration, signalling some willingness to compromise with the EU.^[28] May stated that it was her "priority to allow British companies to trade with the single market in goods and services" but said that she would not accept a deal "that involves accepting the free movement of people as it has worked hitherto"—also signalling willingness to some future compromise deal with the EU.^[28] Fox also pledged to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands, while Leadsom, Crabb and Gove have not specifically pledged to do so; May has said: "I think net migration in the tens of thousands is sustainable, but it is going to take time."^[21]
• Whether to approve the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport, a decision which was delayed to at least October 2016 in the wake of the Brexit referendum vote and the Conservative leadership campaign.^[29] Boris Johnson, who opted not to run, was a staunch opponent of the proposal; May and Gove, whose constituencies are near Heathrow, have dealt with noise complaints in the past but have not publicly taken a stand on a third runway.^[29] Crabb, by contrast, said during the campaign that he was "a strong supporter of a third runway" at the airport to boost the economy.^[30]

A Guardian editorial noted that the Brexit-dominated leadership campaign presented a danger that the next prime minister would be chosen on this basis when several major domestic issues will also demand the prime minister's attention, such as the disputes between the government and unions representing teachers and junior doctors.^[31]

An interview with Leadsom in The Times early July created some controversy. The article quoted Leadsom as saying that motherhood gave her a better perspective than May, although Leadsom protested the article misrepresented her views. She later apologised to May.^[32] There was also controversy about claimed inaccuracies in Leadsom's CV.^[33] Meanwhile, Crabb, after his candidacy had ended, was reported to have been sexting a woman despite being married and stressing family values in his campaign.^[34]

On 11 July, Leadsom withdrew,^[35] arguing May should become leader promptly.^[36]

Election procedure

The election process for selecting the leader of the Conservative Party is overseen by the Conservative 1922 Committee, although election procedures are approved by the Board of the Conservative Party.^[37][38][39] Nominations for the leadership are invited by the Chairman of the 1922 Committee (currently Graham Brady), acting as Returning Officer for all stages of the election. Candidates must be proposed and seconded in writing, with names of the proposers and seconders being published. When nominations close, a list of valid nominations is published. If there is only one valid nomination, that person is declared elected. If only two valid nominations are received, both names go forward to the general membership of the Party. If more than two nominations are received, a ballot is held within the Parliamentary Party on the Tuesday immediately following the closing date for nominations. An exhaustive ballot system is used to select two candidates to go forward to the general membership of the Party.

A ballot paper is produced and issued to all Conservative Members in the House of Commons, who indicate one choice from the candidates listed. Proxy votes are possible. The ballot is conducted in secret. If there are three candidates in the first ballot, the two who receive the most votes go forward to the general membership. If there are more than three, the candidate receiving the fewest votes is eliminated and a second ballot, under the same rules, is held the following Thursday. If there are no more than three candidates in the second ballot the two receiving the most votes go forward to the general membership. If a third ballot is required, it is held the following Tuesday. This process is repeated as often as necessary on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays. When a ballot with only three candidates is reached, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes go forward to the general membership. Candidates may withdraw their names at any time, "up to 24 hours of the opening of the ballot", but no new nominations will be accepted after the first ballot.

The two candidates selected by the Parliamentary Party are then put to the full membership of the Party (specifically, "all the members of the Conservative Party in good standing who have been members for not less than three months prior to the date of the announcement of the Vote of Confidence") in a postal ballot. Each Party member, on a "one member, one vote" basis, may vote for their preferred candidate. It is not explicitly stated in the rules from when the three months applies, in the eventuality of the leader resigning, but Rule 5 in the "Rules for the Election of the Leader" (which appears as Schedule 2 to the Constitution of the Conservative Party) gives this as "immediately prior to the close of the ballot for the election of the Leader".^[40] The Chairman of the 1922 Committee consults with the Board of the Conservative Party to agree the closing date for the ballot, which will be "as soon as practicable" after the date of the last ballot in the Parliamentary Party. The chairman, as returning officer, shall agree with the Board who is responsible, under his direction, for the receipt and counting of the votes, and the chairman announces the results "as soon as practicable" to a meeting of the Parliamentary Party and representatives of the Conservative Party.

Should only a single candidate be nominated, or all but one candidate be eliminated or withdraw before the scheduled end of the election (set in this instance as 9 September 2016), that single (or remaining) candidate is elected effectively unopposed without – if applicable – the votes of the party membership being issued (or counted if the ballot papers have already been issued).

Results

The first ballot of MPs was held on 5 July. The results were announced at 18:30 by 1922 Committee chairman Graham Brady.

May placed first, far ahead of her closest rival Leadsom. Fifth-place candidate Fox was knocked out of the race and Crabb withdrew, both endorsing May. Gove, Leadsom and May went through to the second ballot held on 7 July.^[41] May again was the clear winner, with Leadsom beating Gove, which meant that May and Leadsom went through to the members' ballot, the result of which was due to be announced on 9 September. However, on 11 July, Leadsom withdrew from the race, leaving May as the only candidate. Conservative MP and Chairman of the 1922 Backbench Committee, Graham Brady announced that May would be confirmed as Conservative Party leader as soon as the party's board had been consulted.^[42] She was confirmed and on 13 July, David Cameron tendered his resignation as Prime Minister, with May accepting The Queen's invitation to succeed him shortly afterwards. Having been appointed Prime Minister she entered 10 Downing Street with a speech emphasising the term Unionist in the name of the party, reminding all of "the precious, precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."^[43]

After she became Prime Minister, May's cabinet appointments tilted to the right, according to The Guardian but her speech clearly targeted the left, with a promise to combat the "burning injustice" in British society and create a union "between all of our citizens" and promising to be an advocate for the "ordinary working-class family" and not for the affluent in the UK. "The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives. ... When we take the big calls, we'll think not of the powerful, but you. When we pass new laws we'll listen not to the mighty, but to you. When it comes to taxes we'll prioritise not the wealthy but you."^[44]

Candidate		First ballot: 5 July 2016		Second ballot: 7 July 2016		Members' vote Cancelled
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
	Theresa May	165	50.2	199	60.5	Unopposed
	Andrea Leadsom	66	20.1	84	25.5	Withdrew
	Michael Gove	48	14.6	46	14.0	Eliminated
	Stephen Crabb	34	10.3	Withdrew, endorsed May
	Liam Fox	16	4.9	Eliminated, endorsed May
Turnout		329	99.7	329	99.7	N/A
Theresa May win

Notes

• First and second ballots: Prime Minister David Cameron was the only abstention.

Timeline

• 24 June 2016 – Following the result of the referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union, Prime Minister David Cameron announces his resignation as Leader of the Conservative Party.
• 27 June 2016 – The 1922 Committee announce the arrangements for the leadership contest.
• 28 June 2016 – Chancellor George Osborne announces he will not run for leader; Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tells Good Morning Britain that he is "seriously considering" putting himself forward as a candidate.
• 28 June 2016 – Stephen Crabb becomes the first Conservative MP to formally announce his candidacy for the leadership. He runs on a ticket with Business Secretary Sajid Javid as his pick for Chancellor of the Exchequer.
• 29 June 2016 – Leadership nominations by the Parliamentary Party open at 18:00 BST.^[45]
• 30 June 2016 – Michael Gove announces his bid to become party leader.
• 30 June 2016 – Boris Johnson, the former Mayor of London and bookies' favourite announces that he will not enter the leadership contest.
• 30 June 2016 – Theresa May, Andrea Leadsom and Liam Fox also announce their leadership campaigns.
• 30 June 2016 – Nominations close at noon.
• 3 July 2016 – Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond endorses Theresa May, commending her "old-fashioned British pragmatism."^[46]
• 4 July 2016 – Boris Johnson endorses Andrea Leadsom, saying she has "the zap, the drive, and the determination" to unite the party.^[47]
• 5 July 2016 – Liam Fox is eliminated in the first ballot held by the Parliamentary Party and endorses Theresa May; Stephen Crabb withdraws from the race and endorses Theresa May.
• 7 July 2016 – Michael Gove is eliminated in the second ballot held by the Parliamentary Party; Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom proceed to the party membership ballot.
• 9 July 2016 – The Times reports that Leadsom had told one of its reporters that she would be better placed to lead the country because she has children, whereas May does not.
• 11 July 2016 – Leadsom withdraws from the leadership race and May becomes Leader of the Conservative Party.^[35]
• 12 July 2016 – David Cameron chairs his final Cabinet meeting as May plans her cabinet.^[48]
• 13 July 2016 – After his last Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron offers his resignation to the Queen at Buckingham Palace and recommends that she invite May to form a government. The Queen accepts Cameron's resignation and invites May to form a government.^[49]
• 13 July 2016 – Prime Minister May appoints Boris Johnson, who declined to run for the premiership, the new Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.^[50]

Candidates

Name	Born	Constituency	Most recent position(s)	Pre-referendum position on EU membership	Announced candidacy	Proposer and Seconder[51]	Public declarations/ endorsements from MPs (prior to first ballot)[52]	Public declarations/ endorsements from MPs (prior to second ballot)[53]
Crabb, StephenStephen Crabb	20 January 1973 (age 43)	MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire (2005–present)	Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (March–July 2016)	Remain	28 June 2016[54]	Sajid Javid and Chloe Smith	22 / 330 (6.7%)	Withdrew
Fox, LiamLiam Fox	22 September 1961 (age 55)	MP for North Somerset (1992–present)	Secretary of State for Defence (2010–2011)	Leave	29 June 2016[55]	Robert Goodwill and Scott Mann	7 / 330 (2.1%)	Eliminated
Gove, MichaelMichael Gove	26 August 1967 (age 49)	MP for Surrey Heath (2005–present)	Lord Chancellor (2015–2016) Secretary of State for Justice (2015–2016)	Leave	30 June 2016[56]	Nicky Morgan and Dominic Raab	27 / 330 (8.2%)	27 / 330 (8.2%)
Leadsom, AndreaAndrea Leadsom	13 May 1963 (age 53)	MP for South Northamptonshire (2010–present)	Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change (2015–2016)	Leave	30 June 2016[57]	Penny Mordaunt and William Wragg	42 / 330 (12.7%)	48 / 330 (14.5%)
May, TheresaTheresa May	1 October 1956 (age 60)	MP for Maidenhead (1997–present)	Home Secretary (2010–2016)	Remain	30 June 2016[58]	Chris Grayling and Justine Greening	141 / 330 (42.7%)	159 / 330 (48.2%)

Withdrew

The following individuals announced that they would seek the leadership of the Conservative Party but then eventually did not stand, or withdrew from the race, due to insufficient support or other reasons:

• John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay since 2001^[59][60] (Leave supporter) (endorsed Andrea Leadsom)
• Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London; MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015 (Leave supporter) (endorsed Andrea Leadsom)^[61]

Declined

The following individuals were the focus of media speculation as being possible leadership candidates, but ruled out a bid or did not stand by the requisite time:

• Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee since 2010; MP for Altrincham and Sale West since 1997^[62] (Leave supporter)
• Robert Buckland, Solicitor General for England and Wales since 2014; MP for Swindon South since 2010^[63] (Remain supporter) (endorsed Theresa May)
• George Freeman, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Life Sciences since 2014; MP for Mid Norfolk since 2010 (Remain supporter)^[64][65]
• Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons since 2015; MP for Epsom and Ewell since 2001 (Leave supporter)^[66][67] (endorsed Theresa May–Campaign Chair)
• Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development since 2012; MP for Putney since 2005 ^[68] (Remain supporter) (endorsed Theresa May)
• Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health since 2012; MP for South West Surrey since 2005 (Remain supporter) (endorsed Theresa May)^[69]
• Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills; MP for Bromsgrove^[70] (Remain supporter)^[71] (endorsed Stephen Crabb, later Theresa May)^[72][73]
• Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London; MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015 (Leave supporter) (endorsed Andrea Leadsom)^[74]
• Penny Mordaunt, Minister of State for the Armed Forces since 2015; MP for Portsmouth North since 2010^[75] (Leave supporter)
• Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education since 2014; MP for Loughborough since 2010^[76] (Remain supporter) (endorsed Michael Gove, later Theresa May)^[77]
• David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale since 2015^[78] (Remain supporter) (endorsed Stephen Crabb, later Theresa May)
• Jesse Norman, Chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee since 2015; MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire since 2010^[79] (endorsed Boris Johnson, then Theresa May)
• George Osborne, First Secretary of State since 2015; Chancellor of the Exchequer since 2010; MP for Tatton^[80] (Remain supporter)
• Priti Patel, Minister of State for Employment since 2015; MP for Witham (Leave supporter)^[81][82] (endorsed Theresa May)
• Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2012–2014; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2010–2012; MP for North Shropshire since 1997^[83] (Leave supporter) (endorsed Andrea Leadsom)
• Dominic Raab, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Justice since 2015; MP for Esher and Walton (Leave supporter)^[84] (endorsed Boris Johnson, later Michael Gove)
• Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change since 2015; MP for Hastings and Rye since 2010 (Remain supporter)^[85] (endorsed Theresa May)
• Anna Soubry, Minister of State for Small Business since 2015; MP for Broxtowe (Remain supporter)^[86][87]
• Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 2014; MP for South West Norfolk since 2010^[88] (Remain supporter) (endorsed Boris Johnson, then Michael Gove, then Theresa May)
• Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since 2012; Minister of State for Transport 2010–2012; MP for Chipping Barnet since 2005 (Leave Supporter)^[89] (endorsed Andrea Leadsom)^[90]

Endorsements

N.B. MPs are not required to vote as per their public endorsements.

Stephen Crabb

Stephen Crabb's endorsements, prior to his withdrawal after first ballot; endorsed Theresa May

MPs Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales; MP for Vale of Glamorgan Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes[54] Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay John Glen, MP for Salisbury[91] Luke Hall, MP for Thornbury and Yate[91] Simon Hart, MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire[73] James Heappey, MP for Wells[92] Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset[54] Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills; MP for Bromsgrove[93] Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View[91] David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale[78] Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby[91] Andrew Selous, Minister for Prisons and Rehabilitation; MP for South West Bedfordshire[91] Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood[91] Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North[51] Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon[91] Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer[91] Edward Timpson, Minister of State for Children and Families; MP for Crewe and Nantwich[91] Justin Tomlinson, Minister for Disabled People; MP for North Swindon Craig Williams, MP for Cardiff North[54] Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South[91] Jeremy Wright, Attorney General for England and Wales; MP for Kenilworth and Southam[91] Other Conservative politicians Andrew Boff, Leader of the Conservative Group in the London Assembly[94] Angela Burns, AM for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Suzy Davies, AM for South Wales West[95] Russell George, AM for Montgomeryshire[96] Nick Ramsay, AM for Monmouth[97]

Liam Fox

Liam Fox's endorsements, prior to his elimination in the first ballot; endorsed Theresa May

MPs Robert Goodwill, Minister of State for Transport; MP for Scarborough and Whitby[51] Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot[73] Edward Leigh, former Chair of the Public Accounts Committee; MP for Gainsborough[73] Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall[51] Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys[73] David Nuttall, MP for Bury North[73] Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South[73] Robert Syms, MP for Poole[73]

Michael Gove

Michael Gove's endorsements, prior to his elimination in the second ballot

MPs Adam Afriyie, MP for Windsor Henry Bellingham, MP for North West Norfolk[73] Nick Boles, Minister of State for Skills; MP for Grantham and Stamford[98] Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire George Eustice, Minister for Farming, Food and Marine Environment; MP for Camborne and Redruth[99] Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield Suella Fernandes, MP for Fareham[100] Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools; MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton[101] John Hayes, Minister for Security; MP for South Holland and The Deepings[100] Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood[102] Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke Andrew Mitchell, former Chief Whip and Secretary of State for International Development; MP for Sutton Coldfield[103] Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education; MP for Loughborough[104] Bob Neill, Chair of the Justice Committee; MP for Bromley and Chislehurst[73] Dominic Raab, Minister for Civil Liberties; MP for Esher and Walton[105] Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset[106] Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond (Yorks) Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries; MP for Wantage Shailesh Vara, Minister for the Courts and Legal Aid; MP for North West Cambridgeshire[100] Angela Watkinson, MP for Hornchuch and Upminster John Whittingdale, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, MP for Maldon[100] Other Conservative politicians Shaun Bailey, London Assembly Member (Londonwide) Tony Devenish, London Assembly Member for West Central Daniel Hannan, MEP for South East England[107] Louise Mensch, former MP for Corby; columnist and author[108] Lord O'Shaughnessy Ross Thomson, MSP for North East Scotland (Region) Adam Tomkins, MSP for Glasgow (Region) Members of other parties Julia Reid, UKIP MEP for South West England Other individuals James Delingpole, columnist and novelist Toby Young, journalist and educationalist[109]

Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson's endorsements, prior to his announcement that he would not contest the leadership of the Conservative Party

MPs Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty since 2010[110] Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen since 2010[110] Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate since 1997[111] Nick Boles, MP for Grantham and Stamford since 2010[112] David Davis, leadership candidate in 2005; Shadow Home Secretary 2003–2008; MP for Haltemprice and Howden since 1987[113] Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire since 2005[114] George Eustice, Minister for Farming, Food and Marine Environment since 2013; MP for Camborne and Redruth since 2010[115] Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield since 1992[116] Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Justice since 2015; Chief Whip 2014–2015; Secretary of State for Education 2010–2014; MP for Surrey Heath since 2005 (campaign manager) Amanda Milling, MP for Cannock Chase since 2015[110] Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset since 2010[117] Daniel Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich since 2010[118] Jo Johnson, MP for Orpington since 2010 (Boris Johnson's brother)[119] Dominic Raab, Under Secretary of State for Civil Liberties since 2015; MP for Esher and Walton since 2010[115] Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex since 1997[120] Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 2014; MP for South West Norfolk since 2010[121] Ben Wallace, MP for Wyre and Preston North since 2005[110] John Whittingdale, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport since 2015; MP for Maldon since 1992[115] Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-on-Avon since 2010[122] Other individuals James Delingpole, columnist and novelist[123] Katie Hopkins, television personality and columnist[124] Louise Mensch, former MP for Corby 2010–2012, author and columnist[125]

Andrea Leadsom

Andrea Leadsom's endorsements, prior to her withdrawal after the second ballot

MPs Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty[126] Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay Julian Brazier, Minister for Reserves; MP for Canterbury Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire[127] David Burrowes, MP for Enfield Southgate Bill Cash, MP for Stone[128] Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes Philip Davies, MP for Shipley[129] Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay[130] (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb)[131] Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset[132] James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green and former Leader of the Conservative Party James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire (previously endorsed Liam Fox)[73] Chris Green, MP for Bolton West Chris Heaton-Harris, MP for Daventry Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey Philip Hollobone, MP for Kettering[133] Stewart Jackson, MP for Peterborough Bernard Jenkin, Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee; MP for Harwich and North Essex[100] Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip[134] Edward Leigh, former Chair of the Public Accounts Committee; MP for Gainsborough (previously endorsed Liam Fox) Charlotte Leslie, MP for Bristol North West Julian Lewis, Chair of the Defence Committee; MP for New Forest East[101] Peter Lilley, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden[135] Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch Karl McCartney, MP for Lincoln Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage Penny Mordaunt, Minister of State for the Armed Forces; MP for Portsmouth North Anne Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis David Mowat, MP for Warrington South Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire David Nuttall, MP for Bury North (previously endorsed Liam Fox)[136] Neil Parish, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; MP for Tiverton and Honiton Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Tom Pursglove, MP for Corby Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset (previously endorsed Michael Gove) John Redwood, MP for Wokingham[137] Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury[138] Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford Henry Smith, MP for Crawley[135] Bob Stewart, MP for Beckenham Desmond Swayne, Minister for International Development; MP for New Forest West Michael Tomlinson, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole Craig Tracey, MP for North Warwickshire Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; MP for Chipping Barnet[135] Heather Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove Other Conservative politicians Tim Bell, public relations advisor to Margaret Thatcher[139] Michael Howard, former Leader of the Opposition and former Home Secretary[140] Norman Tebbit, former Chairman of the Conservative Party[141] Members of other parties Suzanne Evans, former Deputy Chairman of the UK Independence Party Nigel Farage, UKIP MEP for South-East England and former leader of UKIP Nick Griffin, former leader of the British National Party, former MEP for North West England[142] Margot Parker, UKIP MEP for East Midlands Other individuals James Delingpole, columnist and novelist (previously endorsed Michael Gove) Katie Hopkins, television personality and columnist Gerard Lyons, economist Louise Mensch, former MP for Corby; columnist and author (previously endorsed Michael Gove) Allison Pearson, journalist for The Daily Telegraph Organisations Britain First English Democrats Leave.EU[143] Liberty GB

Theresa May

Theresa May's endorsements, prior to her victory

MPs Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney[144] Lucy Allan, MP for Telford[145] Heidi Allen, MP for South Cambridgeshire[73] Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey[146] Caroline Ansell, MP for Eastbourne[73] Edward Argar, MP for Charnwood[144] Victoria Atkins, MP for Louth and Horncastle Harriett Baldwin, Economic Secretary to the Treasury; MP for West Worcestershire[147] Steve Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire[73] Gavin Barwell, Whip (Comptroller of the Household); MP for Croydon Central[73] Guto Bebb, Minister for Wales; MP for Aberconwy[73] Paul Beresford, Chair of the Administration Committee; MP for Mole Valley[73] James Berry, MP for Kingston and Surbiton Andrew Bingham, MP for High Peak Nicola Blackwood, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee; MP for Oxford West and Abingdon[73] Crispin Blunt, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee; MP for Reigate[148] Karen Bradley, Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime; MP for Staffordshire Moorlands[101] Steve Brine, MP for Winchester[73] James Brokenshire, Minister of State for Immigration; MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup[73] Robert Buckland, Solicitor General; MP for South Swindon[73] Simon Burns, MP for Chelmsford[149] Neil Carmichael, Chair of the Education Committee; MP for Stroud[150] James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk[151] Alex Chalk, MP for Cheltenham[152] Rehman Chishti, MP for Gillingham and Rainham Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, MP for Tunbridge Wells James Cleverly, MP for Braintree Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds[153] Therese Coffey, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons; MP for Suffolk Coastal[73] Damian Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe[73] Oliver Colvile MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire. Endorsed after his withdrawal from the contest.[154] Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage; MP for Chatham and Aylesford[73] Byron Davies, MP for Gower James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh[73] David Davis, MP for Haltemprice and Howden[155] Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport[73] Michelle Donelan, MP for Chippenham Oliver Dowden, MP for Hertsmere Jackie Doyle-Price, Whip; MP for Thurrock Flick Drummond, MP for Portsmouth South Alan Duncan, MP for Rutland and Melton Michael Ellis, MP for Northampton North[73] Jane Ellison, Minister for Public Health; MP for Battersea[156] Tobias Ellwood, Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; MP for Bournemouth East[73] Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover[157] Graham Evans, MP for Weaver Vale Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley (previously endorsed Boris Johnson)[158] David Evennett, Whip; MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford[159] Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield (previously endorsed Michael Gove) Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence; MP for Sevenoaks[160] Kevin Foster, MP for Torbay Liam Fox, MP for North Somerset. Endorsed after being eliminated from contest.[154] Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire George Freeman, Minister for Life Sciences, MP for Mid-Norfolk Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green[73] Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet[73] Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough[100] Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest[73] David Gauke, Financial Secretary to the Treasury; MP for South West Hertfordshire Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden[73] Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools; MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (previously endorsed Michael Gove) Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Justice; MP for Surrey Heath (endorsed after his elimination from the contest) Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons; MP for Epsom and Ewell (Campaign Chair)[51] Damian Green, MP for Ashford (Campaign Spokesperson)[161] Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development; MP for Putney Dominic Grieve, Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee; MP for Beaconsfield[162] Andrew Griffiths, MP for Burton[73] Ben Gummer, Minister for Care Quality; MP for Ipswich[163] Sam Gyimah, Minister for Childcare and Education; MP for East Surrey Robert Halfon, Minister without portfolio, MP for Harlow Luke Hall, MP for Thornbury and Yate (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; MP for Runnymede and Weybridge[164] Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon[73] Matthew Hancock, Minister for the Cabinet Office; MP for West Suffolk Greg Hands, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, MP for Chelsea and Fulham Richard Harrington, Minister for Syrian Refugees; MP for Watford[144] Alan Haselhurst, MP for Saffron Walden[144] Oliver Heald, MP for North East Hertfordshire[144] James Heappey, MP for Wells (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Peter Heaton-Jones, MP for North Devon[165] Damian Hinds, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, MP for East Hampshire[166] Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton George Hollingbery, Whip; MP for Meon Valley[73] Kris Hopkins, Whip; MP for Keighley John Howell, MP for Henley[73] Ben Howlett, MP for Bath[73] Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health; MP for South West Surrey[69] Nick Hurd, Minister for International Development; MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner Margot James, MP for Stourbridge[73] Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills since 2015; MP for Bromsgrove (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb)[73] Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark (previously endorsed Michael Gove)[167] Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities and Science; MP for Orpington (previously endorsed his brother Boris Johnson) Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough David Jones, former Secretary of State for Wales; MP for Clwyd West[73] Marcus Jones, Minister for Local Government, MP for Nuneaton Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown[73] Julian Knight, MP for Solihull[73] Kwasi Kwarteng, MP for Spelthorne[168] Mark Lancaster, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans; MP for Milton Keynes North[100] Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell[73] Brandon Lewis, Minister of State for Housing and Planning; MP for Great Yarmouth[73] David Mackintosh, MP for Northampton South[73] Kit Malthouse, MP for North West Hampshire Alan Mak, MP for Havant[73] Tania Mathias, MP for Twickenham Jason McCartney, MP for Colne Valley Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport; MP for Derbyshire Dales[73] Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle[169] Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock[73] Maria Miller, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee; MP for Basingstoke[73] Anne Milton, Deputy Chief Whip; MP for Guildford[73] Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Education; MP for Loughborough (previously endorsed Michael Gove) David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Wendy Morton, MP for Aldridge Brownhills David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland; MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale[170] Bob Neill, Chair of the Justice Committee, MP for Bromley and Chislehurst (previously endorsed Michael Gove)[171] Sarah Newton, Whip; MP for Truro and Falmouth[100] Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North[172] Jesse Norman, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire Guy Opperman, Whip; MP for Hexham Priti Patel, Minister of State for Employment; MP for Witham[173] Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb)[174] Mike Penning, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Criminal Justice and Victims; MP for Hemel Hempstead[73] Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole[73] Claire Perry, Minister for Transport; MP for Devizes[73] Stephen Phillips, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham[100] Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South[73] Eric Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar[73] Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane[175] Victoria Prentis, MP for Banbury[176] Mark Prisk, MP for Hertford and Stortford Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin[177] Will Quince, MP for Colchester[100] Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle[178] Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change; MP for Hastings and Rye[73] David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield[144] Antoinette Sandbach, MP for Eddisbury[73] Andrew Selous, Minister for Prisons and Rehabilitation; MP for South West Bedfordshire (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Grant Shapps, MP for Welwyn Hatfield Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West[73] Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell[179] Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Henry Smith, MP for Crawley[144] Julian Smith, Whip; MP for Skipton and Ripon Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex Anna Soubry, Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise; MP for Broxtowe[73] Caroline Spelman, MP for Meriden[73] Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood[73] Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle[73] Mel Stride, Whip; MP for Central Devon[73] Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness Hugo Swire, Minister for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; MP for East Devon[180] Robert Syms, MP for Poole (previously endorsed Liam Fox) Maggie Throup, MP for Erewash Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood[101] Justin Tomlinson, Minister for Disabled People; MP for North Swindon Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed (previously endorsed Michael Gove) Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; MP for South West Norfolk[181] Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling[182] Ed Vaizey, Minister of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries; MP for Wantage (previously endorsed Michael Gove) Robin Walker, MP for Worcester Ben Wallace, Minister for Northern Ireland; MP for Wyre and Preston North Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness[183] Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent[184] Chris White, MP for Warwick and Leamington[73] Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley[179] Craig Williams, MP for Cardiff North (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire[73] Rob Wilson, Minister for Civil Society; MP for Reading East[185] Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health Committee; MP for Totnes[73] Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-on-Avon[186] Other Conservative politicians Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Transport and Countering Extremism Nick Alston, former Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex Gareth Bacon, London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian (Region) Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) Jackson Carlaw, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives; MSP for Eastwood Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries Baroness Cumberlege Ruth Davidson, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives; MSP for Edinburgh Central[187] Michael Dobbs, Conservative Lord, author of the original House of Cards novels Ian Duncan, MEP for Scotland Jacqueline Foster, MEP for North West England[188] Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland (Region) Annabel Goldie, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives (2005–2011)[189] Paul Goodman, ConservativeHome journalist and former MP for Wycombe[190] Jamie Greene, MSP for West of Scotland (Region) Sajjid Karim, MEP for North West England Timothy Kirkhope, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Baroness (Michelle) Mone, founder of lingerie company Ultimo Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire Steve Norris, Former Transport Minister and London Mayoral candidate[191] Spencer Pitfield, Director of Conservative Trade Unionists[192] Nick Ramsay, AM for Monmouth (previously endorsed Stephen Crabb) Councillor David Simmonds, Deputy Chairman of the Local Government Association[193] Baroness Stowell of Beeston, Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Warsi John Scott, MSP for Ayr Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow (Region) Lord Young of Graffham[194] Newspapers Daily Mail[195] The Sun[196] The Daily Telegraph[197] The Sunday Telegraph[198]

Opinion polling

Polls via polling organisations

Note some polls have asked respondents how they would vote in certain head-to-head scenarios, as indicated below.

Date(s) administered	Poll source	Sample size	Stephen Crabb	Liam Fox	Michael Gove	Boris Johnson	Andrea Leadsom	Theresa May	George Osborne	Other/ Undecided
11 July 2016	Andrea Leadsom withdraws from the ballot, Theresa May is declared the new Leader of the Conservative Party.
7 July 2016	Sky Data[199]	1,002 "nationally representative" Sky customers	—	—	—	—	25%	48%	—	Don't know 28%
7 July 2016	Second ballot: Andrea Leadsom and Theresa May are entered into the ballot, Michael Gove is eliminated.
5 July 2016	First ballot: Theresa May wins 50.2% of MP support, Liam Fox is eliminated and Stephen Crabb withdraws from the election.
4–5 July 2016	Survation[200]	1,062 Conservative councillors	2.3%	1.8%	5.1%	—	21.8%	46.2%	—	Undecided 17.9% Refused 4.9%
			—	—	12.7%	—	—	59.9%	—	Undecided 20.9% Refused 6.5%
			—	—	—	—	25.5%	50.5%	—	Undecided 18.6% Refused 5.4%
1–4 July 2016	YouGov/The Times[201]	994 Conservative Party members	5%	5%	9%	—	20%	54%	—	6%
			—	—	—	—	31%	63%	—	6%
			—	21%	—	—	—	71%	—	7%
			—	—	21%	—	—	72%	—	7%
			13%	—	—	—	—	76%	—	10%
			29%	—	—	—	53%	—	—	17%
			—	—	25%	—	53%	—	—	17%
30 June 2016	Nomination period closes at noon BST. Boris Johnson declares that he will not run as a candidate.
29 June 2016	Nomination period opens at 6 pm BST.[45]
27–29 June 2016	YouGov/The Times[202]	1,001 Conservative Party members	7%	4%	—	27%	7%	36%	4%	Don't know 6% David Davis 4% Sajid Javid 3% Nicky Morgan 1%
			—	—	—	38%	—	55%	—	7%
			—	—	—	48%	31%	—	—	21%
			31%	—	—	54%	—	—	—	16%
			—	29%	—	52%	—	—	—	19%
26–27 June 2016	YouGov/The Times[203]	438 Conservative voters[lower-alpha 1]	1%	4%	8%	24%	1%	31%	4%	Don't know 24% Sajid Javid 2% Jeremy Hunt 1% Nicky Morgan 0%
		2,013 British residents[lower-alpha 2]	2%	3%	5%	18%	1%	19%	3%	Don't know 44% Sajid Javid 3% Jeremy Hunt 1% Nicky Morgan 0%
25 June 2016	Bristol Post[204]	700 voters	—	19%	6%	41%	—	27%	7%	Nicky Morgan 1%
24–25 June 2016	Survation/The Mail on Sunday[205]	1,033 British residents[lower-alpha 2]	1.6%	—	6.1%	28.3%	—	13.1%	6.9%	Don't know 37.1% Ruth Davidson 5.5% Jeremy Hunt 1.4%
			—	—	—	61.1%	—	—	38.9%	—
			—	—	—	50.4%	—	49.6%	—	—
			—	—	42.4%	57.6%	—	—	—	—
			—	—	—	62.1%	—	—	—	Jeremy Hunt 37.9%
			—	—	—	55.7%	—	—	—	Ruth Davidson 44.3%
			38.5%	—	—	61.5%	—	—	—	—
		252 Conservative voters[lower-alpha 3]	1.7%	—	6.9%	32.9%	—	19.3%	10.4%	Don't know 24.1% Jeremy Hunt 2.6% Ruth Davidson 2.1%
			—	—	—	58.5%	—	—	41.5%	—
			—	—	—	50%	—	50%	—	—
			—	—	37.7%	62.3%	—	—	—	—
			—	—	—	70.5%	—	—	—	Jeremy Hunt 29.5%
			—	—	—	68%	—	—	—	Ruth Davidson 32%
			30.6%	—	—	69.4%	—	—	—	—
24 June 2016	David Cameron announces his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party and as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
23 June 2016	The United Kingdom votes to Leave the European Union in a nationwide referendum.
23–26 February 2016	YouGov[206]	1,005 Conservative Party members	—	—	—	43%	—	19%	22%	Sajid Javid 7% Don't know 7% Nicky Morgan 1%
14–17 November 2015	Ipsos MORI/Evening Standard[207][208]	307 Conservative voters[lower-alpha 1]	—	—	—	32%	—	26%	23%	19%
		1,021 British residents[lower-alpha 2]	—	—	—	25%	—	19%	11%	45%
19–23 September 2015	Ipsos MORI[209]	395 Conservative voters[lower-alpha 1]	—	—	—	29%	—	18%	32%	19%
		1,255 British residents[lower-alpha 2]	—	—	—	27%	—	17%	15%	41%
21–22 September 2015	Survation/Huffington Post UK[210][211]	303 Conservative voters[lower-alpha 1]	—	—	—	30.4%	—	16.3%	26.2%	Don't know 23.3% Jeremy Hunt 2.9% Nicky Morgan 0.9%
		1,008 British residents[lower-alpha 2]	—	—	—	25%	—	11.2%	14.6%	Don't know 45.2% Nicky Morgan 2.1% Jeremy Hunt 2%

1. People who are likely to vote Conservative in next general election.
2. Residents over 18 in Great Britain.
3. People who voted Conservative in the 2015 general election.

See also

• Next United Kingdom general election
• United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
• Labour Party (UK) leadership election, 2016

References

1. "Who is Andrea Leadsom and why has she pulled out of the Conservative Party leadership race?". The Daily Telegraph. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
2. "Theresa May v Andrea Leadsom in Conservative leader race". BBC.
3. "Tory leadership: Theresa May tops first vote but Liam Fox out". BBC.
4. "Stephen Crabb pulls out of Tory leadership race". BBC.
5. Kirkup, James (25 March 2015). "By 2020, the Conservative Party leader will be... not who you expect". The Daily Telegraph.
6. "David Cameron announces his resignation – full statement". The Telegraph. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
7. Sunday Politics, BBC, 26 June 2016
8. Cooper, Charlie (29 June 2016). "Boris Johnson and Theresa May rally support for Tory leadership race". The Independent. London, UK. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
9. "May is Tory favourite after surge in support". The Times. London, UK. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
10. Osborne, Samuel (28 June 2016). "Theresa May beats Boris Johnson in poll for next Prime Minister". The Independent. London, UK. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
11. Hughes, Laura (30 June 2016). "Boris Johnson announces he will not run for Prime Minister as Michael Gove declares his bid after claiming his colleague 'cannot provide the leadership'". The Telegraph. London, UK. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
12. "Boris Johnson rules himself out of Conservative leader race". BBC News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
13. Swinford, Steven (1 July 2016). "Boris Johnson's allies accuse Michael Gove of 'systematic and calculated plot' to destroy his leadership hopes". The Telegraph.
14. Laura Hughes, Political Correspondent (31 May 2016). "Conservative MPs in uproar as Boris Johnson 'rips party apart' by withdrawing from leadership contest after ambush by Michael Gove". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
15. "Boris Johnson's father: Et tu, Brute?". BBC News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
16. Swinford, Steven (30 June 2016). "Boris Johnson's allies allies accuse Michael Gove of 'systematic and calculated plot' to destroy his leadership hopes". The Telegraph. London, UK. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
17. Christopher Hope (4 August 2016). "Theresa May drawn into David Cameron honours row after she accepted £35,000 from Tory donors whose names were taken off list". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
18. "Interview: Chief Whip Gavin Williamson MP on his factory worker beginnings and recent promotion « Express & Star". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
19. "Nigel Farage quits – and Conservative leadership race". BBC News. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
20. "Why Michael Gove's plotting led to Boris Johnson's downfall". 4 July 2016.
21. Tim Ross, Tory leadership battle: Five questions for five contenders – here's how they replied, The Daily Telegraph (2 July 2016).
22. Peter Walker, Government refuses to guarantee EU citizens living in UK can stay, The Guardian (4 July 2016).
23. Brexit: Rights of EU citizens living in UK sparks row, BBC News (4 July 2016).
24. Andrea Leadsom: EU citizens in UK are not bargaining chips, BBC News (5 July 2016).
25. Leadsom, candidate to lead Britain, would be quick to trigger article 50, Reuters (3 July 2016).
26. Gove, candidate to lead Britain, says no article 50 this year, Reuters (1 July 2016).
27. Robert Hutton & Simon Kennedy, Race for U.K. prime minister heats up as Brexit plans differ, Bloomberg (5 July 2016).
28. Tory leadership candidates on the single market, The Week (5 July 2016).
29. Airport expansion decision on hold, BBC News (30 June 2016).
30. Joe Murphy, Stephen Crabb: I'd give go-ahead for third runway at Heathrow Airport, London Evening Standard (4 July 2016).
31. The Guardian view on the next PM's in-tray: much more than Brexit, The Guardian (5 July 2016).
32. "Andrea Leadsom apologises to Theresa May over motherhood remark". BBC. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
33. Jamie Micklethwaite. "Andrea Leadsom CV: Former colleague disputes claim MP was a banker". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
34. Siobhan Fenton. "DWP Secretary Stephen Crabb accused of 'hypocrisy' after 'sexting' woman". The Independent. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
35. "Theresa May set to be UK PM after Andrea Leadsom quits". BBC. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
36. Daily Politics, BBC2, 11 July 2016
37. Michael Wilkinson, Who will be our next Prime Minister as David Cameron resigns following EU Referendum defeat?, The Daily Telegraph (24 June 2016).
38. Conservative leader: Who might succeed David Cameron?, BBC News (24 June 2016).
39. Party Structure and Organisation, Conservative and Unionist Party (accessed 24 June 2016).
40. Kelly, Richard; Lester, Paul (7 December 2005). "Leadership Elections: Conservative Party" (PDF). Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 25 June 2016.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
41. Anushka Asthana & Rowena Mason, Theresa May wins first round of voting in Tory leadership race, The Guardian (5 July 2016).
42. "May set to be confirmed as new leader of Tory Party". Itv.com. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
43. "Theresa May: Word unionist 'very important to me'". BBC. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
44. Stewart, Heather (14 July 2016). "Theresa May appeals to centre ground but cabinet tilts to the right". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
45. "What happens now?". The Daily Telegraph. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
46. "Philip Hammond: The country needs Theresa May and a 'good dose of old-fashioned British pragmatism'". The Daily Telegraph. 3 July 2016.
47. Anushka Asthana; Rowena Mason (4 July 2016). "Boris Johnson endorses Andrea Leadsom in Tory leadership bid". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
48. Michael Wilkinson, Theresa May plans her top team as David Cameron chairs his final Cabinet as prime minister, The Daily Telegraph (12 July 2016).
49. David Cameron says being PM 'the greatest honour' in final Downing Street speech, BBC News (13 July 2016).
50. RobDotHutton, Robert Hutton. "Boris Johnson Appointed U.K. Foreign Secretary in May Government". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
51. "Who Will Replace Cameron? Runners And Riders". Sky News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
52. Our latest Conservative leadership election MP tally. May 141, Leadsom 42, Gove 27, Crabb 22, Fox 7, ConservativeHome (last updated 5 July 2016 at 6:26 pm BST).
53. Our latest Conservative leadership election MP tally. May 150, Leadsom 43, Gove 27., ConservativeHome (last updated 6 July 2016 at 9:46 pm BST).
54. McTague, Tom (28 June 2016). "Stephen Crabb declares he is running to replace David Cameron". Politico Europe.
55. "Stephen Crabb and Liam Fox launch Tory leadership campaigns". The Guardian. 29 June 2016.
56. "Michael Gove to stand for Conservative leadership". BBC News. 30 June 2016.
57. Ashley Cowburn, Andrea Leadsom announces bid for Conservative party leadership, Independent (30 June 2016).
58. "Gove challenges Johnson and May". BBC News. 30 June 2016.
59. "John Baron throws name into Conservative leadership ring, as South Essex MPs have their say". Basildon Recorder. 29 June 2016.
60. "Essex MP John Baron enters Conservative party race". Essex Chronicle. 29 June 2016.
61. Elgot, Jessica (30 June 2016). "Boris Johnson rules himself out of Tory leadership race". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
62. "Conservative leadership race: Who could replace David Cameron?". The Daily Telegraph. 24 March 2015.
63. Tom McTague (13 February 2016). "David Cameron must renege on promise to step down before general election, says senior Tory". The Independent.
64. Josh May (26 June 2016). "Six senior Tories set to launch leadership bids as 'Stop Boris' campaign gathers pace". PoliticsHome.
65. Harry Cole, Tom Newton-Dunn (28 June 2016). "Boris boost as Tory leader race speeds up – with new PM in No.10 by September". The Sun.
66. "Ashtead MP Chris Grayling hails Brexit as 'the right choice for Britain'". Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser. 24 June 2016.
67. Craig Woodhouse (4 October 2015). "At least 20 Tories are lining up to replace Cameron". The Sun.
68. Jane Merrick (3 October 2015). "Justine Greening: The Tories can offer working-class people a 'British dream' with no bar to social mobility". The Independent.
69. "Politics Live (30 June 2016 / 6:12)". The Guardian. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
70. Richard Hartley-Parkinson (27 June 2016). "Battle of Boris: Top Tories tipped for Conservative leadership". Metro.
71. Owen Bennett (4 October 2015). "Watch Sajid Javid Rule Out Standing in the Tory Leadership Contest When David Cameron Quits". Huffington Post.
72. Tom Newton Dunn (28 July 2016). "Stephen Crabb and Sajid Javid team up to run for future Prime Minister and Chancellor in Tory leadership race". The Sun.
73. "Our Conservative leadership election MP tally. May 79, Crabb 22, Leadsom 14, Gove 13, Fox 9.". Conservative Home. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
74. Elgot, Jessica (30 June 2016). "Boris Johnson rules himself out of Tory leadership race". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
75. "Tory rising star Penny Mordaunt set to join campaign to leave the EU". The Sun. 18 February 2016.
76. "Brexit latest, and Gove joins Johnson and May in Tory leadership contest". BBC News. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
77. Whittaker, Freddie (30 June 2016). "Gove enters Conservative leadership race and gets Morgan's backing". Schools Week. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
78. Patrick Christys (25 June 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Tory leadership battle sparks into life as MP throws his hat into the ring". Daily Express.
79. "Jesse Norman says he thinks about being Tory leader... when he's in the bath". totalpolitics.co.uk. 13 October 2015.
80. Slawson, Nicola (28 June 2016). "George Osborne will not contest Tory leadership race". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
81. "Who are the Tory leadership contenders?". ITV News. 27 June 2016.
82. Ian Silvera (8 February 2016). "Priti Patel: Who is the top Tory right-winger tipped to be the face of the Brexit campaign?". International Business TImes.
83. Josh May (1 October 2015). "Owen Paterson develops checklist for future Tory leader candidates". PoliticsHome.
84. Ned Simons (26 June 2016). "BBC Question Time: Dominic Raab Rules Himself Out Of Tory Leadership Bid". Huffington Post.
85. Heather Stewart, Anushka Asthana (24 June 2016). "David Cameron resignation sparks Tory party leadership contest". The Guardian.
86. Tim Ross (2 August 2015). "Tory women challenge Theresa May for party leadership". The Daily Telegraph.
87. Kevin Schofield (19 November 2015). "Anna Soubry interview: Tory eurosceptics need to take a chill pill". PoliticsHome.
88. Andrew Gimson (6 March 2014). "Andrew Gimson profiles Liz Truss, seen by some as a future Tory leader". ConservativeHome.
89. Channel 4 News, interviewed by Michael Crick, 24 June 2016
90. "Theresa Villiers: Andrea has energy and intellect to reunite nation". 4 July 2016.
91. "Our Conservative leadership election MP tally. May 75, Crabb 21, Gove 12, Leadsom 12, Fox 9.". Conservative Home. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
92. James Heappey [JSHeappey] (4 July 2016). "He's the right man for our Party & he's the right man for the United Kingdom" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
93. John Moylan [JohnMoylanBBC] (28 June 2016). ".@sajidjavid on the Tory Party Leadership – "I am supporting Stephen Crabb, the Work & Pensions Secretary"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
94. Andrew Boff [AndrewBoff] (30 June 2016). "Please help support #Crabb4PM, add a #Twibbon now!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
95. "AM say Crabb 'connects with people'". Retrieved 2 July 2016.
96. Russell George [russ_george] (30 June 2016). "I'm pleased to be pledging my support to Stephen Crabb as leader of the Conservative party" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
97. Nick Ramsay [NickRamsayAM] (30 June 2016). "Pleased to be backing @scrabbmp in his bid for leadership of the Conservative Party @WalesPolitics" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
98. PWhitelam_LE (1 April 2016). "Grantham MP Nick Boles to chair Michael Gove Tory leader bid as he abandons Boris Johnson". Lincolnshire Echo. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
99. "Why I am supporting Michael Gove | Coffee House". 3 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
100. #ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared : Names. "#ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared". Google. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
101. #ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared : Names. "#ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared". Google. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
102. "Why I'm backing Michael Gove". Andrea Jenkyns. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
103. "Andrew Mitchell: Gove is the candidate with the conviction, courage and capability to lead | Conservative Home". Retrieved 4 July 2016.
104. 30 June 2016 at. "Nicky Morgan backs Michael Gove as new Tory leader". Itv.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
105. "Boris Johnson says he is out of Tory party leadership race after Gove challenge". The Guardian. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
106. Norbury, Suzanne (30 June 2016). "Boris leaves leadership race and Jacob Rees-Mogg MP shifts support to Michael Gove". Somerset Live. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
107. Hannan, Daniel (20 June 2014). "Gove is the candidate who can make a success of Brexit". Life. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
108. LouiseMensch (1 July 2016). "My money is on @andrealeadsom as PM. And a terrific PM she would be." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
109. Toby Young (18 June 2016). "Michael Gove is not just the man to lead the Conservatives, but the country". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
110. Ben Glaze (28 June 2016). "Boris Johnson's war cabinet revealed: The four MPs holed up in BoJo's country HQ". Daily Mirror.
111. Jenny Seymour (24 June 2016). "EU Referendum: 'Chipper' Reigate MP Crispin Blunt backs Boris Johnson for Prime Minister". Surrey Mirror.
112. "Remainer Nick Boles MP backs Boris Johnson for Prime Minister". Lincolnshire Echo. 27 June 2016.
113. "Boris Johnson is a force multiplied, says David Davis". BBC. 29 June 2016.
114. Nadine Dorries (28 June 2016). "We need a leader with principle and belief. While Boris and Gove led,Theresa hid She thinks we're the 'nasty' party". Twitter.
115. "Nominations Open In Tory Leadership Race". Sky News. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
116. Michael Fabricant (28 June 2016). "Boris Johnson @BorisJohnson". Twitter.
117. "Jacob Rees-Mogg backs Boris for Prime Minister". ITV. 28 June 2016.
118. "Poulter backs Boris for PM". Diss Express. 28 June 2016.
119. James Forsyth (27 June 2016). "Jo Johnson backs Boris". The Spectator.
120. "MP Soames backs Boris for Prime Minister two months after saying he did not have 'stature' for job". Mid Sussex Times. 28 June 2016.
121. "Back Boris and our team of radical reformers will secure Britain's future". The Daily Telegraph. 28 June 2016.
122. Nadhim Zahawi (29 June 2016). "Boris Johnson is the right choice for the Conservatives, and for Britain". Daily Telegraph.
123. "Why I'm Backing Boris Johnson and Michael Gove". Breitbart News Network. 28 June 2016.
124. "History calls, Boris, and here's what you need to do in the next 100 days to prove you really are the new Churchill, not just a Winston Lite". The Daily Mail. 28 June 2016.
125. Louise Mensch (29 June 2016). "I support @BorisJohnson for leader but Stephen Crabb MP is a wonderful bloke and politician". Twitter.
126. "Nigel backs Andrea Leadsom to lead the Conservative Party | Nigel Adams MP". www.selbyandainsty.com. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
127. Brown, Larisa. "Andrea Leadsom is surging past Michael Gove in the Conservative leadership election". Daily Mail. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
128. #ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared : Names. "#ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared". Google. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
129. "Local MP supports Andrea Leadsom in leadership contest".
130. "Steve Double MP: 'I am backing Andrea Leadsom in the second round of the Conservative leadership contest'". Steve Double. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
131. "Steve Double MP on Twitter: "Pleased to confirm I am backing @scrabbmp to be next party leader and PM. The right man to unite and lead our nation #crabb4pm"". Twitter.com. 2016-06-28. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
132. "Diary – backing Andrea Leadsom". Richard Drax. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
133. "Conservative Party leadership: Who's backing who?".
134. "Boris Johnson Backs Leadsom For Tory Leader". Sky News. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
135. #ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared : Names. "#ToryLeadership MPs Publicly Declared". Google. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
136. Nuttall, David (7 July 2016). "Final Ballot". David Nuttall MP – Bury North. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
137. "Conservative Leadership Contest". Johnredwoodsdiary.com. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
138. "Conservative Leadership".
139. https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/news/andrea-leadsom-gets-campaign-help-margaret-thatcher’s-image-guru
140. "Andrea Leadsom receives backing of Michael Howard". 7 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
141. Tim Ross Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent (2 July 2016). "Andrea Leadsom: I can be the new Margaret Thatcher". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
142. "Andrea Leadsom is the leader of an am-dram peasants' revolt". The Guardian. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
143. "Leave.EU Backs Andrea Leadsom For PM". Breitbart. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
144. "Ken Clarke brands Michael Gove 'wild' in extraordinary open mic gaffe". Retrieved 10 July 2016.
145. Lucy Allan [lucyallan] (30 June 2016). "Lucy backing Theresa May for leadership | Lucy Allan MP www.lucyallan.com/news/lucy-backing-theresa-may-leadership …" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
146. Stuart Andrew [StuartAndrew] (30 June 2016). "I'm backing Theresa May as Leader. Strong leadership is what we need now and she has those qualities" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
147. Editorial, Malvern. "Harriett Baldwin wants Theresa May to be the next Prime Minister". Malvern Observer. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
148. "Crispin Blunt declares support for Theresa May". Crispin Blunt. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
149. MP, The Rt. Hon. Sir Simon Burns. "Sir Simon Burns MP to support Theresa May in the Conservative Leadership Election – 1st July 2016". simonburnsmp.com. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
150. Neil Carmichael [stroud_neil] (1 July 2016). "I'm backing Theresa May for leader of the Conservative Party – she's strong, caring & competent @congroup4europe" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
151. jc4southsuffolk (30 June 2016). "Pleased to be there for @TheresaMay2016's leadership campaign launch this morning! She is ready for the role of PM." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
152. "Shakespeare or Politics?". Alex Chalk. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
153. "MPs Neil Carmichael and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown both give backing to Theresa May in Conservative leadership contest". Gazette Series. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
154. Bullen, Jamie (5 July 2016). "Stephen Crabb pulls out of Tory leadership contest". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
155. "David Davis sticks the knife into Michael Gove by backing Theresa May". Retrieved 4 July 2016.
156. "Why I'm backing Theresa May for Prime Minister | Jane Ellison – MP for Battersea, Balham and Wandsworth". www.janeellison.net. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
157. "Tory leadership:". BBC. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
158. "Nigel Evans announces support for Theresa May". Nigel Evans MP. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
159. David (7 July 2016). "Evennett backs Theresa May". Rt Hon David Evennett MP. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
160. "Tory leadership:". BBC. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
161. "Politics Live (30 June 2016 / 3:31)". The Guardian. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
162. "Former Attorney General says 'People may change their mind'". Retrieved 10 July 2016.
163. "BBC Local Live: Suffolk on Thursday, 30 June 2016". BBC News. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
164. Reynolds, Leda (4 July 2016). "Boost for Theresa May as Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond backs her bid to become PM". Retrieved 4 July 2016.
165. "Statement on Party Leadership". Peter Heaton-Jones. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
166. "Damian supports Teresa May". Damian Hinds. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
167. "Robert Jenrick on Twitter: "Sorry to see @Gove2016 out of the contest. I will be campaigning wholeheartedly for @TheresaMay2016 in the country & hope she is our next PM"". Twitter.com. 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
168. "Boris Johnson says he is out of Tory party leadership race after Gove challenge – as it happened". The Guardian. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
169. "My Vote for Prime Minister: Theresa May". Huw Merriman. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
170. "Conservative leadership race: Scottish Secretary Mundell to back May".
171. "The leadership of the Conservative Party". Bob Neill. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
172. "Leadership Election". carolinenokes.com. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
173. "Leadership election | The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP – Member of Parliament for Witham". www.priti4witham.com. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
174. "Mark Pawsey MP supporting Theresa May MP for Conservative Leader". Mark Pawsey. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
175. "Rebecca Pow supports Theresa May in the Conservative leadership contest, St James Street Pool closes, Nudefest 2016 and Gyles Brandreth comes to Taunton, Claire Carter – BBC Somerset". BBC. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
176. "VICTORIA BACKS THERESA MAY | Victoria Prentis". Retrieved 10 July 2016.
177. MPritchardMP (30 June 2016). "Running a country is a solemn & serious responsibility – it is not a game. I want the right leader & PM for these times @TheresaMay2016" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
178. "Mary Robinson backs Theresa May in leadership election". Mary Robinson. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
179. 5h5 hours ago (14 April 2009). "Larry Budd on Twitter: "So far, @CWhittakerMP, @AlecShelbrooke, & Kris Hopkins have backed @TheresaMay2016 for PM. @BBCLeeds"". Twitter.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
180. "BLOG: Why I am Supporting Theresa May". Hugo Swire. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
181. Whymark, Bethany. "Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss says she will back Theresa May in Tory leadership contest". Retrieved 4 July 2016.
182. "Conservative Party Leadership Election". Tom Tugendhat MP. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
183. "My choice for the next Conservative party leader and Prime Minister |". www.mattwarman.co.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
184. "Theresa May is the woman for the job". Helen Whately. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
185. "Statement on Conservative Party Leadership". Rob Wilson. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
186. title. "Conservatives Must Now Unite Behind Theresa May". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
187. "Ruth Davidson's Dig at How Salmond Treats Women". LBC. 7 July 2016.
188. "We need a strong voice for our country to follow David Cameron". Jacqueline Foster MEP. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
189. "Theresa May is the best woman to go toe to toe with Nicola Sturgeon and Angela Merkel". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
190. "For Brexit's sake and for Britain's, Theresa May should be the next Prime Minister | Conservative Home". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
191. "Steve Norris". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
192. "Spencer Pitfield". Retrieved 5 July 2016.
193. "Cllr David Simmonds CBE". Retrieved 6 July 2016.
194. "A Thatcher for our time". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
195. "DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Why it must be Theresa for leader". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
196. "UK will get a second woman PM… and The Sun says the new Mrs T must be Theresa May, not Andrea Leadsom". 7 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
197. "Mrs May's experience is the crucial factor". Retrieved 10 July 2016.
198. "The Tory Party may have found another iron lady in Theresa May". Retrieved 10 July 2016.
199. "Sky Poll: Public Wants Theresa May As PM". Sky News. 8 July 2016.
200. "Conservative Councillors Leadership Poll" (PDF). Survation. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
201. Chambers, Luke (5 July 2016). "Theresa May ahead of Leadsom in Conservative leadership race". YouGov. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
202. Sayers, Freddie (27 June 2016). "Theresa May storms ahead of Boris among Tory Party membership". YouGov. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
203. "YouGov / Times Survey Results" (PDF). YouGov. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
204. "Poll result: Boris Johnson favourite to become Britain's next Prime Minister". Bristol Post. 25 June 2016.
205. "Post-Brexit Poll" (PDF). Survation on behalf of The Mail on Sunday. 25 June 2016.
206. "Tory membership warms to Brexit Boris". YouGov. 2 March 2016.
207. "Public confidence in George Osborne slips – but few think Labour would do a better job". Ipsos MORI. 20 November 2015.
208. Joe Murphy (20 November 2015). "Boris Johnson and Theresa May overtake George Osborne in Tory race to succeed David Cameron". London Evening Standard.
209. "Boris Johnson most popular prospective Conservative leader". Ipsos MORI. 1 October 2015.
210. "Conservative Party Conference Poll" (PDF). Survation. 5 October 2015.
211. Paul Waugh (1 October 2015). "Boris Johnson Is The Public's Choice As Next Tory Leader, Huffington Post UK/Survation Poll Finds". The Huffington Post.