Sunak and Truss Begin Pitch to be Next PM

The two Conservative leadership candidates are making their pitches to the party members who will choose Boris Johnson's successor. On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss won the final ballot of MPs. Mr. Sunak stated in the Daily Telegraph that he would implement "a set of reforms as radical as those Margaret Thatcher pushed through in the 1980s."

Ms. Truss promised "tax-cutting, enterprise-boosting, business-friendly Conservative policy" in the Daily Mail. Ms. Truss overturned a narrow lead held by Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt, who was once considered the favorite, to secure the support of 113 Tory MPs to Ms. Mordaunt's 105.

Former Chancellor Mr. Sunak, who has consistently led among MPs, received 137 votes. According to polls, he is unpopular among Conservative Party members who will vote for their preferred candidate next month. The two finalists will now set up shop at 12 hustings held across the UK. The first will take place on July 28 in Leeds, and the last on August 31 in London.

The daily democratic process involving 350-plus Conservative MPs is completed. It now includes approximately 160,000 Conservative Party members.