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Who Are The Main Contenders For Next Conservative Party Leader?

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The starting pistol has officially been fired on the race to become the next leader of the Conservative party.

Whoever wins will also become the country’s next Prime Minister - meaning this campaign doubly important.

Nominations for the top prize open today and hopefuls won’t have long to throw their hat in as the deadline is tomorrow at noon.

Even before the EU Referendum results came in, people were positioning themselves in the event of a Brexit result.

Expected among the candidates are former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is the current favourite to nab the position.

However, he faces tough competition from Home Secretary Theresa May, who could steal the post from under him.

But who will fight for the top job? Here are the runners and riders:

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Boris Johnson
Age: 52
Odds: Evens
Current job: Backbench MP

The MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has already won two London Mayor elections and was the face of the successful Vote Leave campaign. He has long been thought to be the successor to David Cameron and has huge support from the party membership. He is a hugely popular figure on all sides of the electorate despite his ‘mad-cap’ persona.

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Theresa May
Age: 59
Odds: 6/4
Current job: Home Secretary

Theresa May is regarded as the ‘anti-Boris’ ticket, supported by Tory MPs who are not as big a fan of the favourite as their colleagues. She has plenty of front bench experience and despite being on the Remain side for the referendum, she kept relatively quiet in an attempt not to turn off Brexiteers.

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Stephen Crabb
Age: 43
Odds: 7/1
Current job: Work and Pensions Secretary

Stephen Crabb took over from Iain Duncan Smith when he resigned earlier this year. Crabb is running on a joint ticket with Sajid Javid, who would be installed as chancellor in the event they win. Welsh-born Crabb was brought up by a single mother on a council estate and his background could be seen as a vote-winner, although his support for Remain could go against him.

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Andrea Leadsom
Age: 53
Odds: 10/1
Current job: Minister of State for Energy at the Department of Energy and Climate Change

The popular Brexiteer was seen as a star of the Vote Leave campaign. Her confident and assured performances have seen her stock rise and she has been rumoured to be offered the role of Chancellor in a future cabinet.

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Liam Fox
Age: 54
Odds: 25/1
Current job: Backbench MP

Another passionate Brexiteer, the MP for North Somerset has plenty of front bench experience and was the former Secretary of State for Defence. He previously stood for the the Conservative party leadership in 2005 - which was ultimately won by David Cameron. He has been a notable figure in the campaign to leave the EU.

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Michael Gove
Age: 48
Odds: 50/1
Current job: Justice Secretary

Despite winning audiences over during the campaign for Brexit, the Justice Secretary is not a popular figure with voters. His role as Education Secretary saw him go against teachers and teaching unions and he was ultimately moved from the post to become the Tory Chief Whip. It is thought he will throw his weight behind Boris Johnson’s bid for leader.

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Nicky Morgan
Age: 43
Odds: 66/1
Current job: Education Secretary

Nicky Morgan was a passionate Remain supporter in the EU Referendum. Despite her interest in the top job, it is not thought she has enough support among the party membership, even if she does make it onto the ballot. She became an MP in the 2010 General Election.

Pics: PA/Reuters/Rex