TORY party rules state that for Theresa May to be forced out of Downing Street at least 15 per cent of her MPs would need to demand a leadership contest.
That, in the current parliament, means 48 backbenchers would need to write to Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee.
Boris Johnson is the bookies favourite to replace May, with Ladbrokes giving him odds of 4/1 to become the next Prime Minister.
READ MORE: Theresa May vows to stay calm and carry on as Tory vultures circle
This week’s conference showed that he is still very much a star with the party members, if not so much the parliamentary party.
Next in line is David Davis, with odds of 6/1. Already a veteran of two leadership contests, the 68-year-old cabinet minister has had a high profile this last year as the chief British negotiator for Brexit. He is well liked by colleagues and political foes (he was the first guest at Alex Salmond’s Fringe show).
Incredibly, punters are also putting money on Jacob Rees-Mogg, who currently sits at 7/1.
The incredibly posh and confident relic from another age has become something of a Brexiteer rock star. He was mobbed at conference, and is a hit on a social media. His social views are, however, a little antiquated, putting him firmly on the right.
All that’s stopping Amber Rudd (8/1) becoming the next Tory leader is her backing for a Remain vote and a tiny, tiny majority in her Hastings and Rye seat.
The Tory Party faithful, who have the final say, are heavily pro-Brexit.
As for Ruth Davidson, whose odds are up at 16/1? She says she doesn’t want it. She’d need to find a seat somewhere.
In a poll on the Conservative Home site, she was second favourite (behind Boris) among party members to take over.
As much as she may not want it, if it’s her or Boris she may not be allowed to stay where she is.
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