After Liz Truss stepped down on Thursday, after her six-week term in power, those who want to replace her are trying to find the 100 votes needed to run in a contest from Conservative lawmakers, Which the party hopes will reset its ill luck.
British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said on Friday he would not stand a contest to replace Liz Truss as prime minister and was leaning toward backing former leader Boris Johnson.
After Truss stepped down on Thursday, ending his six-week term, those who want to replace him are trying to find the 100 votes needed to run in a contest from Conservative lawmakers, allowing The party hopes to reset its ill luck.
"I think I can add the best value to keeping people safe in defense by becoming Secretary of Defense," Wallace told reporters. "This is the job I intend to do, so I'm not going to stand for prime minister this time."
Wallace is one of the few ministers to emerge from the recent political turmoil with his credibility, he is popular with party members and was one of the favorites of speculators.
A former soldier, he has led Britain's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Truss's predecessor Boris Johnson and his former finance minister Rishi Sunak are likely contenders, although neither has formally announced their candidacy yet.
Asked who he would support, he said: "For the time being, I will lean on Boris Johnson."
Johnson was ousted by lawmakers three months ago after a three-year term beset by scandals and misconduct allegations.
Wallace said key issues in deciding his support would be a commitment to national and economic security, recognition of the party's mandate in the 2019 national election under Johnson's leadership, and its ability to unify the party.
"This will potentially be our third prime minister since the general election...
Asked about Sunak, he said he was curious to know what he had to say about the commitments towards defense and security investments.
Wallace also acknowledged the ongoing parliamentary inquiry into whether Johnson misled lawmakers over COVID-19 lockdown violations in Downing Street.
"I think he still has some questions to answer ... that investigation."
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