See The Man Who Could Become UK’s New PM (Photo)

 

Rishi Sunak could be named the new British Prime Minister in a matter of days.

 

The British Conservative Rishi Sunak could become the country’s first leader of colour, after the dramatic decision by Boris Johnson to abandon an audacious political comeback, AFP has reported.

 

He could be named just days after Liz Truss tendered her resignation on Thursday.

 

Sunak had secured the support of at least 100 Conservative MPs by 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) on Monday.

 

Just two months ago, the members selected Truss over Sunak, who had more support among MPs.

 

Sunak was quick to pay tribute to Johnson, tweeting: “I truly hope he continues to contribute to public life at home and abroad.”

The pair had held talks late into Saturday night, reports said — thought to be their first face-to-face since a political falling out erupted in the summer.

 

But hopes they would somehow form a unity ticket were swiftly dashed by Sunak announcing his candidacy 12 hours later.

 

The ex-leader also reportedly spoke on Sunday to Mordaunt, who was said to have rebuffed his calls to back him, noting her supporters were likely to split more for Sunak.

 

She appears intent on remaining in the now two-person race.

 

“Penny is the unifying candidate who is most likely to keep the wings of the Conservative Party together,” a campaign source said after Johnson’s withdrawal.

 

 

Polls over the weekend suggested that the Tories could benefit from a change of leader, after Truss’s missteps plunged them to unprecedented lows.

 

But a survey by Conservative pollster James Johnson still found Mordaunt had a negative rating of -15 among the electorate, with Sunak polling at -2.