SINCE Theresa May stepped down 11 Conservative MPs have thrown their hat into the ring in a bid to be the next leader and Prime Minister.
Whoever finally crosses the threshold of Number 10 will be responsible for negotiating the UK's exit from the EU. So, where do the hopefuls stand on Brexit?
Boris Johnson
The former Foreign Secretary quit his role because he disagreed with Theresa May's plan for Brexit and is currently the bookies favourite to win the contest.
Boris Johnson was at the helm of the Vote Leave campaign back in 2016 and nearly beat the current PM to the role after Cameron resigned.
Since the referendum the 54-year-old has been brandishing his leave credentials. In a speech in Switzerland he vowed to take Britain out of the EU with a "deal or no deal" come October 31 if he gets chosen.
Johnson said he would hold the EU to ransom and refuse to pay the £39billion divorce bill unless they agree to more favourable terms for Brexit.
He also vowed to slash income tax for three million Brits.
He said: "Our friends and partners need to understand that the money is going to be retained until such time as we have greater clarity about the way forward.
"I always thought it was extraordinary that we should agree to write that entire cheque before having a final deal. In getting a good deal, money is a great solvent and a great lubricant."
Michael Gove
The Environment Secretary announced his bid to be the next Prime Minister on June 2.
Michael Gove has said he is willing to delay Brexit for as long as needed to ensure a deal is agreed rather than just crashing out on October 31.
He is posing as a "unifying candidate" and said: ""I believe that I'm ready to unite the Conservative and Unionist Party, ready to deliver Brexit, and ready to lead this great country."
Gove notably defending Theresa May's Brexit deal in the House of Commons and is joint second favourite for the job with Andrea Leadsom.
However, his chances may have been dented by his cocaine admission.
Andrea Leadsom
The former leader of the House of Commons announced her second leadership bid in the Sunday Times.
Andrea Leadsom is a pro-Brexit MP and has previously described the UK's continued membership of the EU as "disgusting" and claimed a Eurosceptic Prime Minister would have delivered Brexit already.
Leadsom has also claimed that she would take the UK out of the EU on October 31 whether a deal is agreed or not.
The 56-year-old added that in order to resolve uncertainty for EU nationals she would introduce a citizens' rights Bill and then seek an agreement in other areas where consensus already exists, such as on reciprocal health care.
She is currently the joint second favourite for the roll alongside Michael Gove.
Matt Hancock
The Health Secretary is another member of the cabinet who has announced his leadership ambitions.
He says he will take a vastly different approach to Brexit than Theresa May and claims he will work to bring the commons together on a deal before it is put to Parliament.
The 40-year-old said that a No Deal Brexit "simply won't be allowed by Parliament" and claimed that his five-point plan for leaving the EU is liked by Brussels.
Matt Hancock is hoping he will be able to help the party look to the future and get young voters onside with Brexit.
His plan for Brexit includes a time limit on the Irish backstop – which is the issue that killed of Mrs May's deal.
He's pledged to roll back part privatisation of the NHS and give £3billion to education, as well a £3,500 boost for low-paid Brits.
Rory Stewart
The new International Development Secretary launched his leadership bid in The Spectator last month and has since told of his one-time opium use.
The Penrith MP has been scathing about a No Deal Brexit and claimed it would be "a huge mistake, damaging, unnecessary, and I think also dishonest".
Rory Stewart has outlined his intention to fulfil Brexit and use a citizens' assembly and a grand jury to help parliament to hammer out a deal with the EU that works for the country.
He believes a No Deal Brexit would cause huge financial implications for Brexit and is focused on a practical deal.
He said he would "lock up MPs over the summer" to get the deal done.
He's also said he'll build two million new homes.
Esther McVey
The former work and pensions secretary announced her bid on LBC and is known for being incredibly pro-Brexit.
Esther McVey has said she is prepared to suspend Parliament to force Brexit through, no matter if she has a deal or not.
In a comment piece for the Sunday Telegraph she wrote: "This country needs a genuinely bold, new approach. So we must now leave the EU on October 31 with a clean break.
"It's time to recapture that optimism which brought about the referendum result, provide the country with a clear direction and deliver the clean Brexit people voted for."
The Tatton MP quit May's cabinet back in November in protest over the Prime Minister's proposed Brexit plan which had failed to get through Parliament.
Dominic Raab
The former Brexit Secretary is another of the top Conservatives who has thrown his hat into the ring and has hard Brexit credentials.
Raab has said he would prefer to exit the EU with a deal but is prepared to accept a No Deal Brexit in October 31.
The 44-year-old MP for Esher and Walton said the UK must "calmly demonstrate unflinching resolve to leave in October – at the latest".
Like McVey he has said Parliament could be suspended to ensure Brexit takes place if he enters Number 10 with the top job.
He quit his role as Mrs May's Brexit Secretary in November 2018 saying he could not support her plan.
He has promised a pay rise for millions of workers after Brexit.
Jeremy Hunt
The Foreign Secretary who campaigned for Remain in the 2016 referendum has also announced his leadership bid.
Jeremy Hunt claims his business background would help him negotiate a good deal with Brussels as "doing deals is my bread and butter as someone who has set up their own business".
The 52-year-old said he would back a No Deal Brexit with a heavy heart if it was the only option left.
Speaking about his plans for Brexit should he take the top job Hunt said: "I think there is a prospect of a better deal, and I think it’s possible to get one before 31 October, although I don’t pretend it’s going to be easy.”
Hunt has said he wants to slash corporation tax to boost businesses.
On June 9 he claimed Germany’s Angela Merkel "COULD renegotiate Brexit" with a new Tory PM.
He has the backing of Amber Rudd.
Sajid Javid
The Home Secretary announced his candidacy in a video on Twitter and was one of the Remain campaigners in 2016.
Sajid Javid, 49, has said his party "must get on and deliver Brexit" but has positioned himself as a firm Remainer.
But speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday he said: "The policy of any government I lead will be to leave on 31 October. We will do everything in our power to leave on 31 October.
"I will do everything I can to get a deal, but if I have to choose between no deal and no Brexit, I will choose no deal."
If elected the Bromsgrove MP would be the UK's first Prime Minister from an ethnic minority.
He has pledged to end austerity and pump billions into education.
Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson has given him her support.
Mark Harper
The former chief whip is one of the unexpected faces in the leadership race and is another of the hopefuls who campaigned for Remain in 2016.
But the Forest of Dean MP and former Immigration Minister has said if the Conservatives fail to deliver Brexit the party will not survive.
Mark Harper, 49, has said Brexit may need to be delayed beyond October 31 in order to negotiate a suitable deal with Brussels.
Speaking to the New Statesman, Mr Harper said: “You can either leave on 31 October or, in the worst, worst case scenario, have a short, focused extension, probably before the end of the year, where you’ve just got some work to do on specific things that may not have been practically able to be done before 31 October – particularly given that there is going to be a new Commission, and I understand that they don’t formally take office until the beginning of November.”
Sam Gyimah
The former Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation campaigned for Remain back in 2016 and has called for a second Brexit referendum.
Sam Gyimah, 42, made the call as he put his name forward for leadership and says he is the only candidate supporting a final say vote on the issue.
The East Surrey MP resigned his ministerial post in protest over Mrs May's proposed Brexit deal.
When he announced his bid he told Ridge on Sunday: "There is a wide range of candidates out there but there is a very narrow set of views on Brexit being discussed.
"And over the last few weeks I have watched on discussing with colleagues in frustration that while there's a broad sweep of opinion in the country on how we move forward at this critical time, that is not being reflected in the contest at the moment."
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