Tories in chaos as shadow minister warns replacing Rishi Sunak could take 'months'
Rishi Sunak has agreed to remain the Tory leader until the process begins to replace him after Labour's general election landslide victory.
The Conservatives have been warned they face fresh chaos as a new leader will not be picked for some time.
Shadow science minister Andrew Griffith said it is likely to take “months” before the party elect a new chief.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will remain the leader of the Conservatives’ interim shadow cabinet until the process begins to replace him.
When asked how long it will take to find a replacement for Mr Sunak, Mr Griffith said: “I don’t know. Probably months, not years. But equally I don’t think we’re going into a conclave this afternoon and waiting for white smoke to emerge.
“I think we’ve got the ability to take that time. It’s also really important to me that we involve the membership of the Conservative Party properly.
“With only 121 Conservative Members of Parliament, most party members are not represented at the moment by their own Member of Parliament and so it’s important that we have a very inclusive process that does speak to all of the membership.”
Mr Griffith said he is optimistic the Conservatives can find a way back to government.
When asked if his party could be back in power in five years, Mr Griffith said: “This Government’s victory is a victory but (it) was elected with one of the lowest vote shares in history.
“There were lots of dynamics as to how that happened.
“I absolutely do believe that, in a very volatile world, if we earn trust, respect and demonstrate competence in opposition there is absolutely a way back to government in the future.”
Mr Sunak said he would be resigning as Conservative Party leader when he delivered his final speech in Downing Street after losing the General Election.
He said he would step down “not immediately but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place”.
Hopefuls include former ministers such as Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick and Victoria Atkins, who have given their perspectives on where the party went wrong prior to and during the election campaign.
