Voting ends today to decide next British PM, Conservative party leader

After nearly a month-long contest between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt to become the next British prime minister and Britain’s Conservative Party leader, the voting of more than 160,000 will close on Monday with the winner to be announced tomorrow.

The voting will close at 1600 GMT. The result will be announced on Tuesday, with the winner immediately becoming the new Conservative leader. Similarly, the winner will be taking office as prime minister on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has said that he will resign as chancellor if Johnson becomes next PM. Justice Secretary David Gauke has also said that he would resign this week if Johnson becomes PM.

During his campaign across the country, Johnson has maintained to take Britain out of the European Union (EU) on October 31 with or without a divorce deal. On the other hand, Britain’s foreign secretary Hunt has said that a no-deal exit cannot be ruled out. Hunt has also said that he is prepared to further delay Brexit if required to get a new withdrawal deal.