Rishi Sunak is close to the UK PM chair, but picking up votes is becoming a headache
UK PM race comes down to three candidates. Photo: Getty Images
Rishi Sunak is closing in on the UK PM chair as the race to the top spot tightens. In the last voting round, Kemi Badenoch was eliminated from the contest, leaving only three candidates vying for the position.
"Rishi is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind
— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 19, 2022
He is the leader to restore trust, rebuild the economy, reunite the country and win the next election so that we can get on with what really matters and deliver the very best for our children"https://t.co/3cXn1rFhca https://t.co/3EJOD1cD4g
Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Liz Truss are the remaining candidates.
- Rishi Sunak: 118 votes
- Penny Mordaunt: 92 votes
- Liz Truss: 86 votes
Kemi Badenoch was eliminated after getting only 56 votes.
What do the numbers say?
Rishi Sunak may have the highest votes so far and has been consistently leading in the race, but there are some setbacks he's suffering. Sunak is finding it difficult to pick up votes as the race tightens. Sunak only gained 3 votes in the latest poll against the 14 votes he picked up in the third ballot and the 13 votes he had picked up in the second ballot.
Even the second leading candidate Penny Mordaunt is falling behind Liz Truss despite having more votes. Mordaunt's votes only increased by 10 as compared to Truss who gained 15 votes, the highest in the latest poll.
The magic number is now 119, with one MP being banned from voting. Rishi Sunak is one vote away from the magic number, but it needs to be seen whether he will be able to pick up votes from the next eliminated candidate or not.
What next? Wednesday, July 20, 2022, is the day when the final voting will take place. The results are expected by 8.30 pm IST. The Conservative Party will then pick the Prime Minister from the final two standing candidates.