Tory leadership election: Boris Johnson wins first round by landslide as McVey, Leadsom and Harper all exit contest
Follow the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the first round of votes for the new Tory leader and prime minister.
The former foreign secretary won 114 votes, followed by Jeremy Hunt on 43 and Michael Gove with 37.
Andrea Leadsom, Mark Harper and Esther McVey failed to win enough votes, meaning they have all been knocked out of the Conservative leadership race.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
Boris Johnson has the support of over half of Conservative Home readers, a straw poll of its readers has found.
The former foreign secretary got 53 per cent of the vote, while Rory Stewart came in at second place, but more than 40 points behind Mr Johnson.
He was followed by Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid.
Former health minister Steve Brine was first in the queue to cast his ballot.
He told the Press Association he was voting for Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary.
As MPs voted, Andrea Leadsom, a leadership contender and former leader of the House of Commons, said: "I'm feeling very positive and optimistic and hopeful that I will be getting enough support from colleagues to go through to the next round."
The BBC's Nick Eardley has a tally based on publicly declared support showing Boris Johnson is far ahead with the support of 83 MPs.
He is followed by Jeremy Hunt on 34 and Michael Gove on 32.
Sajid Javid and Matt Hancock narrowly passed the 17-vote threshold, but Rory Stewart, Mark Marper, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom fell below.
Asked who he thought would be eliminated today, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is backing Boris Johnson, said: "Mark Harper doesn't seem in a very strong position.
"The bottom one goes and anyone under 5 per cent goes. So, it could be more than one who's knocked out."
Esther McVey, a leadership candidate and former work and pensions secretary said: "I'm the outsider, I know that."
Asked who she would urge her supporters to back if she is eliminated, Ms McVey said: "I'm not answering that yet."
Asked who he voted for, Michael Gove, environment secretary and leadership contender said: "The best candidate."
Rory Stewart tweeted he has been re-reading Irish poet Seamus Heaney's The Cure at Troy, and proceeded to recite it.
Theresa May has refused to say who she voted for.
"That's none of your business," the prime minister joked as she left the committee room in the Commons where the ballot is being held.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments