Search begins for next U.K. prime minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he will stay in his role until his replacement is appointed—which may not happen for months. Although he has stepped down as Conservative Party leader, his continued service as prime minister discomforts some members of Johnson’s party, who say he could still cause mischief. “It’s very difficult to see how Boris Johnson, given the character that he is, is going to be able to govern for three months in quiet humility and contrition,” said George Freeman, former science minister.

Who might be his successor? The Conservative Party has several names to choose from. Among them are former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, and Attorney General Suella Braverman. The last contest for prime minister took six weeks.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about Johnson’s resignation.