The new short list to replace British PM David Cameron
Former London mayor Boris Johnson, the bookmakers' favorite to replace U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party, shocked the country Thursday when he announced he was not the person for the job.
The nominations to replace Cameron, who said he would step down by October after losing the referendum on European Union membership a week ago, closed at noon. The new leader could be in place in early September.
These are the five candidates.
Stephen Crabb
Crabb, 43, the work and pensions secretary, was the first to put his name forward. “I was brought up to understand that nothing gets handed to you on a plate” as the "remain" supporter launched his leadership bid. He was raised by a single mother in government-subsidized housing in Wales.
Liam Fox
Fox, 54, who campaigned to leave the EU, resigned as defense secretary for the previous government in 2011 after it emerged a friend attended important meetings with him on foreign trips. "We should never forget that we are a special country. It is time to feel special again," wrote Fox, the member of Parliament for North Somerset, in a Thursday opinion piece in The Telegraph.
Michael Gove
Justice Secretary Michael Gove, 48, who campaigned alongside Johnson to leave the EU, made the surprise announcement that he would run for leader Thursday. Gove, who has said he does not want to be prime minister, was expected to back Johnson. "I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead," he said.
Andrea Leadsom
Leadsom, the energy minister and former banker, was a leading figure in the campaign to leave the bloc. "Let's make the most of the Brexit opportunities! #FreshStart" she tweeted in her announcement to run Thursday. Leadsom was elected member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire in central England in 2010.
Theresa May
May, 59, who has been the home secretary since 2010, supported "remain," and is the bookmaker's favorite after Johnson dropped out. "We need leadership that can unite our party and our country," May said Thursday, adding that "Brexit means Brexit."