LONDON, July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The voting closes Monday in the contest to become Britain’s next prime minister, with Boris Johnson expected to be confirmed as the winner charged with delivering Brexit.
After a month-long contest between former London mayor Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the postal votes of up to 160,000 grassroots Conservatives will decide the governing party’s next leader.
The voting window slams shut at 5 pm.
The result will be announced on Tuesday, with the winner immediately becoming the new Conservative leader, the victor taking office as prime minister on Wednesday.
The final posted votes will be delivered to Conservative headquarters in London on Monday morning. Any last remaining votes will have to be delivered by hand or courier.
An online poll of 1,199 members conducted Friday and Saturday by the Conservative Home website put Johnson on 73 per cent.
Bookmakers give Hunt around a one in 15 chance of winning.
Johnson has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union on Oct 31, with or without a divorce deal.
Theresa May will answer questions in parliament as prime minister for the final time at midday Wednesday before heading to Buckingham Palace to tender her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II.
The head of state will then invite the new Conservative leader to form an administration. — NNN-AGENCIES
