The Latest: UK prime minister pool cut to 4, Johnson at top

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on Conservative Party voting to pick Britain’s next prime minister (all times local):

6:05 p.m.

The contest to become Britain’s next prime minister is down to four candidates, with Boris Johnson building on his commanding lead in a Conservative Party vote.

Johnson gained 143 of 313 votes cast by Conservative lawmakers Wednesday in their third round of voting.

He’s being chased by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Home Secretary Sajid Javid. 

International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, a longshot candidate who energized the race, received the fewest votes and drops out.

Two more votes are scheduled for Thursday to whittle the field down to two. The final two contenders will go to a by-mail ballot of all 160,000 Conservative Party members nationwide. 

The winner is due to be announced in late July, and will replace Theresa May as party leader and prime minister.

___

11:05 a.m.

Britain’s Conservative Party is set to kick one more candidate out of the contest to become the country’s next prime minister, as rivals scramble to catch front-runner Boris Johnson.

The five-strong field will be narrowed in elimination votes by Tory lawmakers Wednesday and Thursday, with the two top candidates going to a runoff of party members across the country.

One of the remaining candidates, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, says he is talking to Environment Secretary Michael Gove about combining forces. He says the question is “who is best able to politely and respectfully defeat Boris Johnson.”

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid are also in the race.

The winner, due to be announced in late July, will replace Theresa May as Conservative leader and prime minister.

___

Follow AP’s full coverage of Brexit and the Conservative Party leadership race at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit

The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →

* Name

* Email

* Message

* All fields are required.

Success!

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

The Associated Press

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter

@AP

Facebook

The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.

Location

New York City

* Name

* Email

* Message

* All fields are required.

Success!

At Least 20 Dead After River Ferry Sinks: 'It's a Horrible Day'

US Judge Tosses Lawsuits Against Former Military Commander Accused of War Crimes

Kobe Bryant's Widow Gives Huge Gift to LA Team on Anniversary of His Last Game

Young Girl Dead, Boys 1 and 8 Listed in Critical Condition After Unthinkable US Shooting: 'Not a Random Act of Violence'

Dead Whale Found Washed Up on US Shore - Disturbing Injuries Found on the Massive Animal

See more...