KIT Malthouse has become the second Tory to withdraw from the contest to replace Theresa May.
Here’s why we won't be seeing the Housing Minister in Downing Street just yet.
Why has Kit Malthouse quit the Conservative leadership race?
On June 4, 2019, Malthouse tweeted: "I have decided to withdraw from the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
"Thank you to all those who have supported me."
It came after he announced his intention to replace PM Theresa May on May 28.
In a statement, the Housing Minister said: "When I announced my intention to seek the leadership of the Conservative Party, I did so believing that I could make a real difference in delivering a Brexit that would command the support of the House of Commons.
"After 20 years in front line politics as a councillor, Deputy Mayor, MP and Minister, I also wanted to lead a new generation of Conservatives stepping forward at a time of profound change in our country.
" But that experience has also made me a realist and the last few days have demonstrated that there is an appetite for this contest to eb over quickly and for the nation to have a new leader in place as soon as possible.
"As such, it seems right to me that I withdraw my candidature and wish those remaining the very best, always recognising there are going to be very challenging times ahead."
Why did he put himself forward to replace Theresa May as the next UK Prime Minister?
Theresa May announced her retirement on May 24, 2019, with Malthouse announcing he would stand to replace her four days later.
In an article for The Sun he said: “I believe I’m the new face, with fresh new ideas, from a new and talented generation.
“And with that, I have two decades of front line political experience – leading overseas trade missions, putting my arms around the families of knife crime victims and building homes for young people.
To boost his cause, the Hampshire MP published a poll that shows 56 per cent of all Brits don’t want any of the Cabinet-level Tory big beasts to succeed Theresa May.
The bookies are, however, were less convinced by his chances of making it into Downing Street.
Who is Kit Malthouse?
The 52-year-old Leave campaigner Mr Malthouse is the author of the lauded Malthouse Compromise plan for Brexit to break Parliament’s deadlock.
His idea to replace the hated Irish backstop with alternative arrangements over a longer three year period is the only solution yet to have won a Commons majority in six months of Parliamentary warfare.
Malthouse was born in Liverpool and studied Politics and Economics at Newcastle University.
After graduating he trained as a chartered accountant and then founded a Midlands-based finance company twenty years ago.
His career in politics began when he was elected to Westminster Council in 1998 and he served on it until 2006.
The father-of-three was then elected to the London Assembly in 2008.
He served as Deputy Mayor for Policing 2008 to 2012 and Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise from 2012 to 2015.
Malthouse became an MP at the 2015 General Election, winning the seat of North West Hampshire with 62 per cent of the vote.
He served as a junior minister in the Department for Work and Pensions before being promoted to House Minister in 2018.
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