Where will the future Prime Minister stand on Brexit?

Will Metcalfe
·Contributor
Updated
There's already a packed field for the Conservative leadership including (left to right) Boris Johnson, Esther McVey, Jeremy Hunt, Dominic Raab and Rory Stewart.
There's already a packed field for the Conservative leadership including (left to right) Boris Johnson, Esther McVey, Jeremy Hunt, Dominic Raab and Rory Stewart.

Less than one week on from Theresa May’s resignation things are hotting up in the Conservative leadership race.

Frontrunner Boris Johnson has, so far, said little and a host of rivals have already thrown their hats into the ring in a bid to take their place in 10 Downing Street.

Following a disastrous EU elections for the party we look at the runners and riders, and where they stand on the Brexit question.

Boris Johnson, Britain's former Foreign Secretary and prominent leave the European Union Brexit campaigner walks away after leaving the Cabinet Office in London, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a setback Monday when former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson refused to support her Brexit deal.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Former mayor of London and foreign secretary, Boris Johnson. Who is seen by many to become the next Tory leader. (AP)

Boris Johnson

Boris, who famously campaigned for Leave, has been given odds of 17/10 at the time of writing.

He’s taken a hard line and vowed that the UK will leave the EU in October, with or without a deal.

He’s against the customs union but has been told the party would bring down any leader moving towards a hard, no deal Brexit.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt jogging near the foreign secretary's residence in London, after he launched his bid become leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister this weekend.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt jogging near the foreign secretary's residence in London, after he launched his bid become leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister this weekend.

Jeremy Hunt

The foreign secretary campaigned under the Remain banner in 2016.

He confirmed his leadership challenge early and has been seen as one of the strongest ‘stop Boris’ candidates.

Increasingly Eurosceptic he has urged parliament to reach a deal.

Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab at 'A Better Deal' event at the British Academy, London, outlining opportunities if Parliament rejects the Government's proposed deal, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal.
Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab at 'A Better Deal' event at the British Academy, London, outlining opportunities if Parliament rejects the Government's proposed deal, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal.

Dominic Raab

Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab quit his role arguing he could not do his job working towards Mrs May’s doomed deal.

A Leave backing MP he has spoken frequently in the benefits no deal could bring.

He said he would be ‘resolute’ in pursuing Brexit and said MPs would not be able to prevent him pushing through a no deal policy.

Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom arrives for a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, London, on the first day that MPs return from their Easter break.
Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom arrives for a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, London, on the first day that MPs return from their Easter break.

Andrea Leadsom

She withdrew from the race in 2016 making Mrs May leader by default.

The staunch Brexiteer says she has more experience and is ready to lead the country.

She has gone on record as saying Britain must leave the EU on October 31 “at all costs”.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid during a speech on counter terrorism in London.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid during a speech on counter terrorism in London.

Sajid Javid

In a less than conventional approach the Home Secretary announced his leadership bid through his local paper, the Bromsgrove Standard.

Mr Javid backed Remain in 2016 but has said government must deliver Brexit.

He has recently said a no deal Brexit would not harm Britain.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove addresses delegates during the Scottish Conservatives' annual party conference at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove addresses delegates during the Scottish Conservatives' annual party conference at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Michael Gove

The Environment Secretary backed Leave in 2016.

However, he remained loyal to Theresa May’s attempts at getting her deal through parliament until her resignation.

He has repeatedly spoken about the potential impact on agriculture a no-deal approach could have, and supported the deal without a customs union.

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Former cabinet minister, Esther McVey, launches Blue Collar Conservatism at the Houses of Parliament in London today.
Former cabinet minister, Esther McVey, launches Blue Collar Conservatism at the Houses of Parliament in London today.

Esther McVey

The former work and pensions secretary has a hardline on Brexit.

She believes the UK should leave the EU without a deal, with or without parliamentary support.

She refused to back Theresa May’s deal in any of its three votes.

File photo dated 23/04/19 of Matt Hancock who has warned Theresa May's successor must not risk calling a general election until Britain has left the EU.
File photo dated 23/04/19 of Matt Hancock who has warned Theresa May's successor must not risk calling a general election until Britain has left the EU.

Matt Hancock

The health secretary campaigned for Remain during the referendum.

He has said he would not pursue a no deal Brexit and has stressed the need for compromise arguing market access must be balanced against any perceived improvements to sovereignty.

Prisons minister Rory Stewart speaks to the media on College Green in Westminster, London.
Prisons minister Rory Stewart speaks to the media on College Green in Westminster, London.

Rory Stewart

Justice Secretary Rory Stewart has been described as the softest Brexiteer of the candidates to declare so far.

Mr Stewart campaigned for remain and says the UK must leave with a deal.

Housing minister Kit Malthouse in Westminster, London after he became the latest person to enter the race to succeed Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party. PRESS ASSOCIATION. Picture date: Tuesday May 28, 2019. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire
Housing minister Kit Malthouse in Westminster, London after he became the latest person to enter the race to succeed Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party. PRESS ASSOCIATION. Picture date: Tuesday May 28, 2019. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire

Kit Malthouse

Kit Malthouse was Boris Johnson’s deputy when he was mayor of London.

A Leave voter he united both sides of the debate for the so-called Malthouse Compromise in a bid to help the UK leave the EU but with a deal.

The compromise failed.

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