Who could replace Theresa May? The PM's likely successors

Who could replace Theresa May? The PM's likely successors

By Alan McGuinness, Political Reporter

Theresa May's position as Prime Minister is in peril after her gamble of calling a snap General Election backfired spectacularly.

So if she does get the boot, who could replace her?

Image: The next Conservative leader will probably be one of these

:: Boris Johnson

Image: Boris Johnson is reportedly sounding out MPs about a possible leadership bid

The Foreign Secretary and former London mayor has long been tipped for the top job, and a source told Sky News in the aftermath of the election that he was "on manoeuvres" and sounding out MPs about a possible leadership bid.

When asked in the early hours of Friday whether Mrs May should remain as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson said: "It's early days."


However, he later dismissed claims he is readying a leadership bid as "tripe".

Mr Johnson considered running in the aftermath of David Cameron's resignation in 2016, but stepped back after being publicly knifed in the back by fellow Brexiteer Michael Gove, who went for the role himself.

He was initially given a reduced role in the General Election campaign amid fears he could slip up and go off message - and Mr Johnson could choose to extract his revenge and turf Mrs May out of Downing Street.

He has the charisma and star power, but concerns have long lingered about whether he has what's required to be PM.

:: Amber Rudd

Image: Amber Rudd could position herself as a safe pair of hands

The Home Secretary supported Mrs May's leadership bid and was chosen for one of the Great Offices of State (PM, Chancellor, Foreign and Home) just six years after becoming an MP.

She has led the Home Office's response to three terror attacks, and stepped in as the PM's understudy for a number of TV election set pieces.

The latter suggests she is one of Number 10's most trusted Cabinet ministers, which would put her in a strong position if Mrs May goes.

Given the turmoil of recent days, she could position herself as a safe pair of hands.

However, the fact that she clung on to her Hastings and Rye seat by only a few hundred votes may not help her chances though.

:: Philip Hammond

Image: Philip Hammond's credibility was shaken by his recent Budget climbdown

"Spreadsheet Phil" was seen as an assured operator when he moved into the Treasury last year, but his credibility was shaken by his Budget climbdown over a hike in National Insurance.

He could struggle to gain enough support given hardline Tory Brexiteers have grown wary of the Remain-backing Chancellor.

There were widespread reports Mr Hammond was in line to be moved to another job if Mrs May won a sizeable majority, but he remains in post for now.

:: David Davis

Image: David Davis has stood twice for the leadership before

The leading Leave campaigner has been charged with overseeing Britain's departure from the EU as Brexit Secretary, so he is bound to be talked about as a potential PM.

And he has stood before - finishing second behind David Cameron in 2005 and last in 2001. But some in the party may feel his moment has passed.

Like Mr Hammond, stocks in Mr Davis appear to have hit a low.

A leaked report of a recent meeting between EU bosses and Mrs May at Downing Street revealed the visitors were left wondering if Mr Davis would survive beyond the election.

:: Ruth Davidson

Image: Ruth Davidson delivered the Tories' best performance in Scotland in 30 years

The Scottish Conservative leader is very popular within the party, and has just delivered the Tories' best performance in Scotland for more than 30 years (13 MPs).

She has already used her clout to demand assurances from Mrs May that she is not planning to ditch Tory commitments to gay rights in return for DUP votes in the Commons.

Ms Davidson would need to become an MP in order to stand, so she is a long shot at this stage. Maybe the party could find a place for her in the Lords?

:: And the outside candidates

Image: Michael Gove and George Osborne

George Osborne and Michael Gove.

No laughing at the back there.

Mr Osborne is no longer an MP having stood down at the election, but he could very well come back if there is another one soon.

He is clearly revelling in Mrs May's misfortunes and had been laying the ground work to succeed David Cameron in 2018 or 2019 before the EU referendum laid waste to that plan.

Such a prospect may seem outlandish I grant you, but if you had said at the start of 2016 that Britain would vote for Brexit and the US would elect Donald Trump you'd have been laughed at.

Mr Osborne said in September: "I don't want to write my memoirs because I don't know how the story ends."

Mr Gove remains an MP and played a prominent role in the Brexit campaign. The way he shafted Mr Johnson left a bitter taste in the mouths of some Conservatives and he later admitted to Sky News that it was a mistake to run.

But he may have learnt from his mistakes.

:: If there is a leadership election, how will it work?

As well as Mrs May resigning, a leadership contest can be triggered if 15% of the parliamentary party writes to the chairman of the backbench committee of Tory MPs saying they no longer have confidence in their leader.

Candidates need to be nominated by their fellow MPs.

After that, there is a series of ballots of MPs, with the candidate polling the fewest votes eliminated. This continues until two contenders are left.

Party members then get to vote. If there are only two candidates in the first place, the process goes straight to a vote of the membership.