The Telegraph: Tom Tugendhat to run for next UK PM

A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament's Parliamentary Recording Unit shows Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling, Tom Tugendhat, speaking during an extraordinary session of parliament called to discuss the collapse of the Afghan government in the House of Commons in London on Aug 18, 2021.
(AFP / PRU)

LONDON – British Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat said he is launching his leadership bid to serve as the next UK prime minister replacing PM Boris Johnson.

The British Conservative party intends to choose a new UK prime minister by early September, the Financial Times reported, citing MPs with knowledge of the plans

"I have served before – in the military, and now in Parliament. Now I hope to answer the call once again as prime minister," the chairman of parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee said in an opinion piece in the Telegraph.

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Tugendhat said he is putting together a coalition of colleagues to bring "new energy and ideas to government and to bridge the Brexit divide that has dominated UK's recent history."

Tugendhat's announcement that he would run for PM comes after Johnson said on Thursday that he would quit as British prime minister, but stay in the post until his successor was chosen. 

The British Conservative party intends to choose a new UK prime minister by early September, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing MPs with knowledge of the plans.

Meanwhile, one of Johnson’s close aides said Thursday that Johnson plans to continue as a member of parliament when he steps down as prime minister. 

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"Good to hear the boss will carry on as an MP," James Duddridge, Johnson's parliamentary private secretary, said on Twitter.