this is bbc news, i'm joanna gosling, live from downing street where rishi sunak is the firm favourite to replace liz truss as prime minister. the former chancellor arrived a short time ago at his campaign headquarters. he has a commanding lead among conservative mps as they choose their next party leader. i think he has all the really good ideas on his site and i think you would be a terrific prime minister, if it comes to that. rival penny mordaunt is still well short of the 100 backers she needs to go forward to a vote. but her supporters insist she's not pulling out of the contest

there are conversations going on between penny mordaunt and other conservative mps or vinay and as we speak no, so the numbers are not an issue as far as we are concerned. it comes after borisjohnson put an end to days of speculation about a comeback when he dramatically pulled out of the race saying it would not be �*the right thing to do�*. rishi sunak praised borisjohnson for his achievements after he pulled out of the race. nominations close at 2pm so we could know who the next resident of the building behind me will be — shortly after that. we'll be bringing you updates throughout the day.

good morning and welcome to bbc news. we could find out who's replacing liz truss as prime minister as early as this afternoon. tory mps have until 2pm to make their nominations and each candidate needs at least 100 backers. if only one achieves that, they'll be declared prime minister today. if both reach 100 there'll be an mps�* ballot this afternoon and then party members this week. two candidates have officially declared that they are running, rishi sunak and penny mordaunt. so far, 180 out of 357 tory mps have told the bbc who they'll be supporting. 155 of them are backing rishi sunak, and 25 penny mordaunt. when borisjohnson dropped out

of the running at nine o'clock last night, he said he had the backing of 102 mps — that support will now shift to the two remaining candidates. we remaining candidates. have also heard thatjerry w is we have also heard thatjerry wright is backing rishi sunak which will bump up his numbers. 0ur political correspondent, damian grammaticas, reports. reporter: are you ready - for the leadership, mr sunak? he's the man who could, by the end of the day, be prime minister. rishi sunak�*s team say they're taking nothing for granted. he will continue to canvass tory mps until nominations close at lunchtime. borisjohnson�*s bid for a comeback crumbled when it became clear too many of his own conservative mps were aghast at the idea he would return. in a statement last night, mrjohnson said... "i have sadly come to the conclusion this would simply not be the right thing to do. "you can't govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament. " he left the westminster location where he had been holed up all weekend.

his decision to quit the race was so swift, it caught his own backers by surprise. i was on a meeting with boris and the team not so long ago, within the past hour, and i've got to say that i was absolutely flabbergasted. it's just one of those occasions where you just don't believe it's really happening. however, you know — look, i'll say it like it is — it's time for grown—ups. i'm backing rishi. another prominentjohnson supporter, nadhim zahawi, added... "a day is a long time in politics. "it's clear we should turn to rishi sunak to our next prime minister." mr sunak�*s backers are hoping more mps will follow. we must recognise the massive hurdle of regaining the trust of the british people. and getting the economy right, providing stability and clarity on people's pensions, on benefits, on mortgages, tackling inflation, getting those energy bills right. this is what rishi sunak does well.

and this is why i'd encourage all colleagues to support him immediately. so this was a significant political victory for rishi sunak. he's seen off borisjohnson, the man who made him chancellor, but who he fell out with spectacularly over the summer and helped bring down. trying perhaps to bury the hatchet, mr sunak last night praised mrjohnson and said... "i truly hope he continues to contribute to public life at home and abroad." the other candidate in the race, penny mordaunt, says she's still pressing ahead. despite being far behind in public endorsements, she believes many borisjohnson supporters are likely to switch to her. michael fabricant already has. he said... "despite my bitter disappointment in borisjohnson deciding not to stand this time, i have returned to my natural home." her team said she was the unifying candidate who is most likely to keep the wings of the conservative party together, and the most likely candidate to hold onto the the seats the conservative party gained in 2019.

really, penny mordaunt is the one who i believe is the best leader for the party, who can build a team across the party and actually steer the ship of state in a steady way, away from the rocks and on a very steady course. but it will take a huge turnaround if she's to halt the momentum rishi sunak has built, which has put him within reach of downing street. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. rishi sunak come to be in the race to be the next leader of the tory party and prime minister but his team this morning say they are taking nothing for granted, granted the campaigning continues as does the campaigning continues as does the campaigning continues as does the campaigning by penny mordaunt�*s team. priti patel hasjust the campaigning by penny mordaunt�*s team. priti patel has just come out in support of rishi sunak,

tweeting... interestingly, if you scroll down just two tweets ago, yesterday she tweeted i am backing borisjohnson to return as our prime minister, to bring together a united team to deliver our manifesto and lead britain to a stronger and more prosperous future. that is basically the flavour of what is going on here, of course, because the shifting alliances and the fact that borisjohnson was in the running and then wasn't an said last night he was bowing out because that was the right thing to do, he could not unite the party behind him. let's bring in lord forsyth, former secretary of state for scotland in john major plus my government, now chairman of the association of conservative peers in the house of lords. good morning.. it is looking like rishi sunak although his team

say there —— they are taking nothing for granted. irate say there -- they are taking nothing for granted-— for granted. we need to bring this whole pantomime _ for granted. we need to bring this whole pantomime to _ for granted. we need to bring this whole pantomime to a _ for granted. we need to bring this| whole pantomime to a conclusion. for granted. we need to bring this i whole pantomime to a conclusion. i think the best thing would be for penny mordaunt to do what she says she wants to do, which is bring unity to the party by withdrawing, so we have a coronation of one candidate and we can get on with the business of governing, it is perfectly obvious rishi sunak has the support of a vast number of conservative mps compared to ten a and we need to move forward in the last thing we need is for an extended period where the markets are unsettled and quite frankly the conservative party is looking ridiculous both at home and abroad. do you believe he can unite the party behind him and deliver stability? right up until now, of course, there are the two candidates

standing, so it's not clear whether it will go to a a0 volt, and there are tory mps who are saying there has to be a general election, because rishi sunak if he does become prime minister simply won't have a mandate, the supporters of borisjohnson, that is what they have a mandate, the supporters of boris johnson, that is what they are saying. boris johnson, that is what they are sa inc. ., ., boris johnson, that is what they are sa inc. . ., ., ., saying. look, we are at war, we are at war in europe, _ saying. look, we are at war, we are at war in europe, more _ saying. look, we are at war, we are at war in europe, more against - at war in europe, more against inflation, the markets are unsettled, interest rates will go up substantially, who have alludes conservative party, people are going to suffer real hardship, we need someone holding detail and guiding our country through very difficult circumstances and with the concept of members of parliament need to get a grip, they are about the nation's business and people should stop putting personalities ahead of the interest of the country because of the idea that borisjohnson could come back after all we've been through... for most people it seemed utterly bizarre. so i think rishi sunak is the only candidate who has

the knowledge and background to steer us through some very choppy waters. i steer us through some very choppy waters. ., ., . ,., waters. i want to reduce some comments — waters. i want to reduce some comments from _ waters. i want to reduce some comments from the _ waters. i want to reduce some comments from the former . waters. i want to reduce some i comments from the former tory waters. i want to reduce some - comments from the former tory mp david leading teen who wrote in the papers this weekend and said the party has appeared incompetent and obsessed with the party plus my prospect at the very time millions of households are worried sick about how to meet their bills for food, fuel and housing and he described rage among a growing number of the public that the party is no longer thinking first about the national interest. do you fear the party has lost its connection with the public? i certainly understand why david should describe the feeling of rage, which i share, but i did leave the policies of the conservative party are the right policies for the country. we have a good majority employment and we need to get on with the business of government and i think there are far too many egos on display in the parliamentary

party at the present state of time. david is probably at the opposite end of the spectrum of the conservative party from me, but it's well worth listening to and the sort of person who should be nominated to the house of lords where he could make an excellent contribution. you were talking — make an excellent contribution. you were talking there, we are seeing those pictures of rishi sunak, you are talking about what is needed going forward and saying that the party has a big majority, a majority of 80 cents 2019 and a working majority of 71, but what we have seen unfolding as the party couldn't deploy that majority in going down the route that liz truss enter chancellor wanted to go down. what do you think says where the tory

party is in particular going forward? does it effectively have to be a technocratic government? government that is pragmatic and is first and foremost mindful of how the markets will respond? mil the markets will respond? fill governments have to be pragmatic. i served on mrs thatcher plus my government and she has a reputation for being very ideological, but in fact she was very pragmatic, newer she wanted to go, she would change direction and circumstances indicated. i supported direction and circumstances indicated. isupported liz direction and circumstances indicated. i supported liz truss and i think the problem was they completely messed up in introducing their policy and the rest is history. we can put that behind us, hope the country will forgive others and get on with some sensible government and i believe rishi sunak is the only person who is able to do that. penny mordaunt says she wants to unite the country, she is a good poetry and the most patriotic thing she could do now is announce she is

not actually going to provoke a further election and we can all get on with having a new prime minister with a new administration drawn from the talents within the party and all traits of opinion and try and tackle these enormous problems of inflation and the disastrous position so many people on low incomes in our country are going to be in, unless the policies are changed and created to take account of these very difficult and unique circumstances, which in common with every other country in the world we will be experiencing. the truth is, we've been living on printed money for far too long the truth is, we've been living on printed money forfar too long in britain and the united states in the central bankers around the globe, unwinding that is going to be extremely painful. joining me now is former aid to borisjohnson alex crowley.

thank you forjoining us. boris johnson decided to bow out last night, do you think that was the right thing? i night, do you think that was the right thing?— right thing? i think it's what reality dictated. _ right thing? i think it's what reality dictated. when - right thing? i think it's what reality dictated. when this i right thing? i think it's what i reality dictated. when this all kicked off last week, he perhaps might have thought what a great opportunity to come back so quickly, but it soon became clear he did not have the momentum he needed and there were lots of influential voices within the party saying actually this is not the right time, this is not the right call. boris�* natural instinct is that if we cannot when he does not want to compete. —— if he cannot win. fix, cannot when he does not want to compete. —— if he cannot win. pa, 11th compete. -- if he cannot win. a lot of peeple — compete. -- if he cannot win. a lot of peeple did _ compete. -- if he cannot win. a lot of people did not _ compete. -- if he cannot win. a lot of people did not think— compete. -- if he cannot win. a lot of people did not think he - compete. —— if he cannot win. a lot of people did not think he had the 100 back in 20 had them on saturday and when he bowed at yesterday he said he had 102, do you think he had that many? said he had 102, do you think he had that man ? ~ ., ~' ., , said he had 102, do you think he had that man ?~ ., ~ ., , , said he had 102, do you think he had that man ? ~ ., ~ ., , , ~ that many? who knows, but i think robabl that many? who knows, but i think probably the _ that many? who knows, but i think probably the tipping _ that many? who knows, but i think probably the tipping point - that many? who knows, but i think probably the tipping point was - that many? who knows, but i think probably the tipping point was the l probably the tipping point was the basic reality, the fact that he was

in forced removal from basic reality, the fact that he was in forced removalfrom office basic reality, the fact that he was in forced removal from office two months ago and those people are still there today, so it was logical if 60 odd mps refused to serve in his government only a few months ago, why would he be able to bring them together now? i'm sure he probably did have the numbers, in fairness, but imagine there were a lot of mps who did not want to go public because they were waiting to see if he actually stood, and of course they were proven right, he would have looked at the numbers internally and felt it was not going to be a goer, the problem for him was always going to be getting to 100, yes, that was always possible, but if he is on 100 and rishi sunak is on 150 or 60 plus, then that does not give, would not have given him much of a mandate, even if he did succeed any member spoke, and we would have been in exactly the same situation we find ourselves in with liz truss, so ultimately realism and

sensible. ., ., ., sensible. the other thing looming over all of this _ sensible. the other thing looming over all of this was _ sensible. the other thing looming over all of this was the _ over all of this was the parliamentary privileges hearing, to question whether he misled parliament. the element yes, you cannot have a situation, clearly, where he would have somehow come back into office this week and then almost immediately been suspended from the house and potentially facing a by—election. that from the house and potentially facing a by-election._ facing a by-election. that is obscene _ facing a by-election. that is obscene not _ facing a by-election. that is obscene not a _ facing a by-election. that is obscene not a recipe - facing a by-election. that is obscene not a recipe for - facing a by-election. that is obscene not a recipe for the facing a by-election. that is - obscene not a recipe for the kind of stability we very clearly need right now. with boris, if it was not going to be that, it would have been something else. the fact of the matter is, this is a challenge for rishi sunak as much as it would have been for boris, the conservative parliamentary party seems to be utterly incapable of acting in any kind of unified way, and rishi sunak�*sjob is to kind of unified way, and rishi sunak�*s job is to unite the party, but also tory mp's job, every single one of them is to unite the party,

we heard earlier the conservatives have a paper majority of some 80 odd but that is only a paper majority. to make a real majority, conservative mps need to actually now and then poke with the government. crazy idea, i know, but thatis government. crazy idea, i know, but that is what will be required. [30 that is what will be required. do ou that is what will be required. do you believe that the borisjohnson backers will unite and there will be stability? this morning on the radio ones sing respect to see mutual thing and people artists wanting respect and seeking a mandate, the best way to win is through the people and that's why a general election would be the only answer otherwise we will go from bad to worse. it basically a choice of tory mps as to whether there will be stability or not miss i mps as to whether there will be stability or not miss— stability or not miss i think it is u . stability or not miss i think it is u- to stability or not miss i think it is up to tory _ stability or not miss i think it is up to tory mps- _ stability or not miss i think it is up to tory mps. if— stability or not miss i think it is up to tory mps. if they - stability or not miss i think it is up to tory mps. if they want i stability or not miss i think it is up to tory mps. if they want to j up to tory mps. if they want to continue rebelling against the

government, plotting leadership coups and all the rest of it, all the nonsense we have seen over the last few months, that is obviously not a recipe for a stable government, and clearly with the tough economic decisions that rishi sunak�*s ministries going to have to enact common decisions that there are large numbers of tory mps who are large numbers of tory mps who are against, things like potentially the pension is triple lock, etc, big important spending cuts that no mps really want to be seen voting for, thatis really want to be seen voting for, that is all on the table, so i did they hold their noses and go with it or we see the truth of the situation, which is that the conservatives are now in the sort of a position where they are not really able to govern, and in our system, that inevitably leads to going to the people to sort it out, as we had two in 2019 over brexit.— two in 2019 over brexit. thank you very much —

two in 2019 over brexit. thank you very much for— two in 2019 over brexit. thank you very much forjoining _ two in 2019 over brexit. thank you very much forjoining us. - with me now is labour's emily thornberry, shadow attorney general. thank you very much forjoining us. rishi sunak�*s team saying they are taking nothing for granted but it is looking like he may well be the next inhabiting of number ten, what are your thoughts? it inhabiting of number ten, what are your thoughts?— your thoughts? it looks like the tories have _ your thoughts? it looks like the tories have stitched _ your thoughts? it looks like the tories have stitched up - your thoughts? it looks like the tories have stitched up anotherj tories have stitched up another leader of our country and they have not gone to the people, and really, whatever happens today, i think that is the main thing. 70% of the public want to have a general election, there is a good reason for that. why on earth should a small group of people in westminster be deciding the fate of our nation? we are supposed to be a democracy, they can'tjust keep changing leader all the time and not go back for some kind of mandate. some of the tory mps did seem to understand that, i suppose, anyway, in that they were using it as an argument for why they had to support borisjohnson, because at least he had led the conservative party in 2019 when they got that majority, but the other

side of the coin was, they were saying and therefore rishi sunak or whoever would not have a democratic mandate. well, yeah, which is why we need to have an election. we shouldn't be allowing this government to crash our economy, because a crisis, get somebody else, we don't know if rishi sunak gets the crown today, he once had been elected by tory mps or by the tory membership or let alone by the public —— he won't, he won't even have been facing the media in advance of getting the crown, he won't be telling us, for example, whether he agrees withjeremy hunt, whether he agrees withjeremy hunt, whetherjeremy hunt will be his chancellor this time next week, whether he is going to be going ahead with the same policies as jeremy hunt, we have no idea. it's a complete leap into the blue, so to speak. it should not be like this. just to come on then, we are a

parliamentary democracy, not a presidential system, so there are many precedents, of course, under labour as well for new leader coming in mid term without an election. if we changed leader once under the dash from player to brown, a stood in 2005 and the tories were saying vote for blair and you will get brown, well, yes, of course you would because everybody knew that. i want to move on from that point, obviously rishi sunak was the chancellor as well not so long ago. there have been a few in the intervening time. but there have been a few in the intervening time.— there have been a few in the intervening time. but he was completely — intervening time. but he was completely unknown - intervening time. but he was completely unknown in - intervening time. but he was completely unknown in 2019| intervening time. but he was - completely unknown in 2019 and we have had the swinging of policies, in the end is policies that matter and we have had one government salary per ten policies, another standing for another lot of policies and they saying they are new governments but we don't get any democratic choice over whether this is a government we want. it doesn't have to be this way, there is an alternative, and the public are

crying out for change. why are they not allowed to have that?— crying out for change. why are they not allowed to have that? before we talk about labour _ not allowed to have that? before we talk about labour policies, _ not allowed to have that? before we talk about labour policies, it - not allowed to have that? before we talk about labour policies, it may i talk about labour policies, it may well be that there is a general election imminently, we don't know, the maximum time frame for the next election is two years. just before that, stability, you talk about stability, is an election now going to deliver stability? how would it do that? it would be more political uncertainty? let do that? it would be more political uncertainty?— do that? it would be more political uncertain ? , , uncertainty? let me put it this way, if we had a — uncertainty? let me put it this way, if we had a general _ uncertainty? let me put it this way, if we had a general election - uncertainty? let me put it this way, if we had a general election after. if we had a general election after borisjohnson had gone, we would have had a labour government by now. we would not even have had liz truss or the crashing of the economy, it would have been completely different, so they cause a crisis and say we cannot have an election because we cause the crisis and we have to somehow fix it but we are not going to tell you how. it doesn't... none of this bears true inspection. all of it. and we are just accepting that somehow rather this is already in is happening todayis this is already in is happening today is ok, it is not. in

this is already in is happening today is ok, it is not. in terms of where labour— today is ok, it is not. in terms of where labour stands, _ today is ok, it is not. in terms of where labour stands, what - today is ok, it is not. in terms of where labour stands, what would today is ok, it is not. in terms of. where labour stands, what would be in your manifesto, if there were to suddenly be an election, what would you do on the economy? we suddenly be an election, what would you do on the economy?— suddenly be an election, what would you do on the economy? we have short term thins you do on the economy? we have short term things we — you do on the economy? we have short term things we would _ you do on the economy? we have short term things we would do, _ you do on the economy? we have short term things we would do, we _ you do on the economy? we have short term things we would do, we would - term things we would do, we would have a windfall tax on the big energy companies, we should not be allowing them to get away with making such massive great profits because prices has gone up so much. we should be having a tax on them and using that money to help keep the bills low. i appreciate the conservative say they are keeping the bills low for a certain period of time, but they are only doing it on the basis of borrowing, more and more billions of pounds. in the end that money needs to be paid back and it needs to be paid back by others. this crisis, which was caused by downing street, is being paid for by working people, it is not right. that will be one of the first things we would do it, we would be able to comment as a stable government, it is quite clear who are later is, it is quite clear who are later is, it is quite clear who are chancellor would be and you will get a stability, we would be a proper

grown—up government and we would be able to bring a period of calm. we will stabilise public finances, we would make sure we paid our way properly and then we have long—term plans for growing our economy, but growing our economy any proper way, not making the rich richer and somehow the poor are going to benefit by trickle—down money with everyday nonsenses, we will be growing our economy by making sure we were really firing on all cylinders when it came to the green economy, when it comes to alternative energy and it comes to having green, clean energy by 2030, and we can stand on her own two feet. we would not be answerable to the likes of vladimir putin. thank ou ve the likes of vladimir putin. thank you very much — the likes of vladimir putin. thank you very much indeed, _ the likes of vladimir putin. thank you very much indeed, we - the likes of vladimir putin. thank you very much indeed, we will i the likes of vladimir putin. thank l you very much indeed, we will have more conversations ahead about what labour policies would be into the next election, but of course the focus today is very much on who is going to be the next inhabitant here at number ten behind me. mps have

been declaring their support, among them the home secretary, very confident rishi sunak is the man for thejob. confident rishi sunak is the man for the 'ob. , ,, ., ,, , confident rishi sunak is the man for the 'ob. , ,, .,~ , ., confident rishi sunak is the man for the 'ob. , ,, ., ., confident rishi sunak is the man for the'ob. , ,, ., ., , the job. rishi sunak set out a very clear programme _ the job. rishi sunak set out a very clear programme for— the job. rishi sunak set out a veryj clear programme for government, the job. rishi sunak set out a very i clear programme for government, he talks a lot about these summer, actually, and he was right on a lot of that programme, including the fact we need to make sure we live within our means, get back to some of the traditional conservative values of making sure people's mortgages don't go any higher than they need to, because we are fiscally responsible. i think he has set out his programme, and colleagues have backed him in a very big way, talks about the numbers, 150-60 mps big way, talks about the numbers, 150—60 mps have backed him so far. so i think he has got the clarity of message, and of course, the fact he was right about this when he was talking about in the summer. the proven track record as the chancellor who got us through

coronavirus, so has all the really good ideas on his side and i think he would be a terrific prime minister if it came to that. the conservative _ minister if it came to that. the conservative mp _ minister if it came to that. the conservative mp for keighley as a penny mordaunt supporter and is convinced she is the unifying candidate. convinced she is the unifying candidate-— convinced she is the unifying candidate. ., ., , candidate. there are conversations coin: candidate. there are conversations auoin on candidate. there are conversations going on between _ candidate. there are conversations going on between penny— candidate. there are conversations going on between penny mordauntj candidate. there are conversations i going on between penny mordaunt and other conservative mps overnight, and as we speak now, so the numbers are not an issue as far as we're concerned, what we are focusing on is making sure we have that proper open debate to make sure the keys to number ten are handed to the unifying candidate, in our view, thatis unifying candidate, in our view, that is able to together all sides of the parliamentary party and actually engage with the membership, of the membership the ability to have their say as well, but also make sure we have the unifying candidate that can focus on delivering the 2019 manifesto. i’m delivering the 2019 manifesto. i'm auoin delivering the 2019 manifesto. i'm ttoin to delivering the 2019 manifesto. i'm going to be speaking to supporters of both of the candidates and a little while. 0ur chief political

correspondent this year. how are things standing? bill correspondent this year. how are things standing?— correspondent this year. how are things standing? all the momentum this morning — things standing? all the momentum this morning is _ things standing? all the momentum this morning is with _ things standing? all the momentum this morning is with rishi _ things standing? all the momentum this morning is with rishi sunak, i things standing? all the momentum this morning is with rishi sunak, he| this morning is with rishi sunak, he has had a raft of endorsements this morning, a lot of them from mps who were backing borisjohnson, which is really interesting. i think what penny morgan had been counting on was hoovering up lots of boris johnson's supporters —— penny mordaunt had been counting on. the ones who did not like rishi sunak or held him responsible for bringing down borisjohnson. we are seeing rishi sunak�*s numbers going up significantly this morning. the bbc�*s latest count suggests rishi sunak is on 17a, and that penny mordaunt is on 26. that is publicly declared and penny mordaunt�*s has only gone up one overnight. i've been chatting to her team this morning and they continue to say they think they are close to getting they think they are close to getting the 100 they need bow 2pm today, to

get on the ballot. however, it feels to me like the parliamentary party is increasingly asserting itself in saying we want rishi sunak, that could change over the next few hours, but she gets over half, which he almost will certainly do quite soon, there will be a lot of pressure on penny mordaunt to stand aside. a team say she won't do that, i think the pressure will increase significantly. hf i think the pressure will increase significantly. if it i think the pressure will increase significantly-— significantly. if it does end up beint significantly. if it does end up being effectively _ significantly. if it does end up being effectively a _ significantly. if it does end up being effectively a coronation| significantly. if it does end up i being effectively a coronation for rishi sunak today, what with the choreography be?— rishi sunak today, what with the choreotra-h be? . , ., choreography be? excellent question, i wish i choreography be? excellent question, i wish i knew — choreography be? excellent question, i wish i knew the _ choreography be? excellent question, i wish i knew the answer _ choreography be? excellent question, i wish i knew the answer myself. i i i wish i knew the answer myself. i suspect, if it is this afternoon, given the timings and the logistics of moving people and are now of the street, it might not be the rishi sunak is walking into number ten this evening. nobody is confirming that, that's my hunch based on having watched of these transitions now over the the last few years. if

it does happen, it is a big moment for rishi sunak, obviously, but also for rishi sunak, obviously, but also for the country. what really strikes me is that we have not heard anything about policy from rishi sunak since the summer, and a lot has changed since the end of the last leadership contest. remember that towards the end of that contest rishi sunak was telling us all he wanted to make some pretty dramatic cuts to income tax, wanted to let down by ap by the end of the next parliament, but there are questions over whether he will still be able to pledge that if he gets into number ten over the next 2a hours. likewise, he promised a much less costly energy plan. my gut instinct is that he would not come in and try and rip up what has been promised untiljust and rip up what has been promised until just after the winter, and rip up what has been promised untiljust after the winter, but he has not answered that question over the last few weeks. in

has not answered that question over the last few weeks.— the last few weeks. in terms of whether he _ the last few weeks. in terms of whether he can _ the last few weeks. in terms of whether he can unite _ the last few weeks. in terms of whether he can unite the i the last few weeks. in terms of| whether he can unite the party, the last few weeks. in terms of i whether he can unite the party, can he deliver stabilityobviously right now what is happening is he continues to speak to supporters and they take nothing for granted, and those conversations continue, similarly with penny mordaunt, but the numbers are looking very different, but it does indicate, of course, that there is still at least an element of division within the party and what we heard from one borisjohnson back party and what we heard from one boris johnson back this party and what we heard from one borisjohnson back this morning on the radio was that the party cannot unite, they would need to be a general election. he is not the only voice saying that. there is an interesting grenade thrown into the mix in boris's letter... excuse me, to explain the

stuff that gets in your throat in downing street, it happens every so often. ., .., downing street, it happens every so often. ., , .,, downing street, it happens every so often. ., , �* downing street, it happens every so often. ., ., often. you can stop if you can't go on. iwill often. you can stop if you can't go on. i will power— often. you can stop if you can't go on. i will power threw _ often. you can stop if you can't go on. i will power threwjoanna. i often. you can stop if you can't go on. i will power threwjoanna. he| on. i will power threwjoanna. he said on. iwill power threwjoanna. he said he was _ on. iwill power threwjoanna. he said he was uniquely _ on. iwill power threwjoanna. he said he was uniquely placed i on. iwill power threwjoanna. he said he was uniquely placed to i on. i will power threwjoanna. he i said he was uniquely placed to avoid a general election, the sub text being the others aren't in a place to avoid a general election, and nadine dory, a keyjohnson ally saying she thinks it is impossible to avoid a general election. music to avoid a general election. music to the ears of opposition parties, who are all calling for that general election. it does feel like there is an increasing number of conservatives open to that idea, seeing they would need a new mandate from the country, i suspect that rishi sunak, if he is in number ten will make the argument that we need some stability, that fiscal statement that is due a week today. it is a really significant moment

for the country, we know there are spending cuts coming, big difficult decisions to be made, so that will need to happen as well. so i suspect rishi sunak would make the argument, if he is in number ten, beginning to give the new government some time to get the car back on the road, but those calls for a general election are only growing, and as you say, it is no longerjust opposition parties it is key conservatives as well and most importantly allies of boris johnson. ., ~' , ., most importantly allies of boris johnson. ., ,, , ., , most importantly allies of boris johnson. ., ,, , . most importantly allies of boris johnson. ., ~' , . johnson. thank you very much nick. i ho te johnson. thank you very much nick. i ho -e that, johnson. thank you very much nick. i hope that. i — johnson. thank you very much nick. i hope that, i have _ johnson. thank you very much nick. i hope that, i have some _ johnson. thank you very much nick. i hope that, i have some anti-his i hope that, i have some anti—his mines the if you need some. i will take ou mines the if you need some. i will take you up _ mines the if you need some. i will take you up on — mines the if you need some. i will take you up on it! _ mines the if you need some. i will take you up on it! in _ mines the if you need some. i will take you up on it! in downing i mines the if you need some. i will. take you up on it! in downing street of course, take you up on it! in downing street of course. the _ take you up on it! in downing street of course, the situation _ take you up on it! in downing street of course, the situation is _ take you up on it! in downing street of course, the situation is that i of course, the situation is that there is still that leadership contest under way. rishi sunak�*s team saying they are not taking anything for granted but it is possibly possible by the end of the day he will be the new inhabit of

number ten, day he will be the new inhabit of numberten, it day he will be the new inhabit of number ten, it is worth remembering when he was the inhabit of number 11 as chancellor, it was the diwali then, it is diwali now and he said in an interview earlier that one of his proudest achievements in politics was being at number 11 during diwali and being able to light the candles outside number 11, it is possible he will be able do that outside number ten tonight but we have seen a week, a day are a long time in politics so there may well be many twists and turns, we will cover them all live from downing street. for now, let us go to weather. hello, as we go through this week it continues to be unseasonably mild. today, what we have got is the rain continuing to move away, across north east scotland, having cleared the south and east of england leaving us with a mixture of bright spells and shower, some in the west could be heavy and it will be a breezy day for england and wales,

less so for scotland and northern ireland, with a top temperature up to 17 or 18. as we head ones there will be clearer sky, it will be breezy and we will see a few showers but it is going to be a mild night, our overnight lows following nine and 13. tomorrow, then, a bit of dry weather round, sunshine, some showers in the west, there they will be hit—and—miss, through the morning we will start to see the cloud thicken, then south wales and the arrival of rain and breezy conditions if not windy here, top temperatures of 18.

this is bbc news, i'mjoanna gosling live from downing street where rishi sunak is the firm favourite to replace liz truss as prime minister. the former chancellor arrived a short time ago at his campaign headquarters. he has a commanding lead among conservative mps as they choose their next party leader. i think he has all the really good

ideas on his side, and i think he will be a terrific prime minister if it comes to that. will be a terrific prime minister if it comes to that. rival penny mordaunt is still well short of the 100 backers she needs to go forward to a vote. but her supporters insist she's not pulling out of the contest. there are conversations going on between penny and other conservative mps overnight and as we speak now, so the numbers isn't an issue as far as we are concerned. and last night borisjohnson put an end to days of speculation about a comeback when he dramatically pulled out of the race — saying it would not be "the right thing to do". rishi sunak praised johnson for his achievements after he pulled out of the race. more reagion round today's events here at westminster, but first, let

us go to the bbc sports centre. morning. after the controversial takeover of newcastle united last year, are the club showing signs of becoming the force many predicted they would. they produced a statement victory over tottenham yesterday that sees them move into the top four of the premier league for the first time in a decade. callum wilson scored first after clashing with the spurs goalkeeper hugo lloris. the striker chipping in. and it was soon two, miguel almiron with their second before spurs pulled a goal back. a lot�*s been written about the saudi billions behind the club, yet this win was achieved with more than half the players who there before the takeover. they're chasing arsenal who remain top, despite their 1—1 granit xhaka opened the scoring, before stuart armstrong finished off a great move to level it in the second half as arsenal stay top, their lead over

manchester cityjust two points. different story for leeds who've dropped into the relegation zone. they took the lead here before fulham fought back to win it, willian scoring their third in a 3—2 victory. fulham up to seventh, but the pressure is building on leeds and their manager jesse marsch, with fans making their feelings clear at the final whistle. we are hurting. it is painful. we feel like we _ we are hurting. it is painful. - feel like we do little things that, we can't seem to reward ourselfs of. but we are together, so, you know, having, i understand that fans are not happy, and the euro—should be directed to exactly as me and i have to find ways o get us better and get points.

and you might wonder who needs a manager. days since steven gerrard was sacked at aston villa, they beat brentford a—0. you wonder what he made of this one? leicester also won yesterday. while leicester picked up their first away points of the season after a a—0 victory over wolves. youri tielemans with the pick of the goals as the foxes climb off the bottom of the table. arsenal and manchester united can't be separated at the top of the wsl. lia walti fired arsenal into the lead in what was a 2—0 win. elsehwere united beat leicester, four wins from four. chelsea join them at the top after beating brighton, but have played a game more. the stars were out in force at the us grand prix yesterday, amid talk of a hollywood movie being made about the sport. max verstappen would feature heavily, the world champion winning again here to equal the record for the most wins in a single season, despite a delay in his final pit stop handing lewis hamiltyon the lead. he regained it though.

the win his 13th, saw red bull take the construtors championship, on the weekend the team heard of the death of team owner dietrich mateshitz, the red bull founder. this is dedicated to dietrich himself, what he has done for everything, the only thing we could do was win, after the pit i it was not looking great but i pushed to the limit to come back. and an emoptional rory mcilroy is back on top of the world. for the ninth time in his career he tops the world rankings after his victory in the cj cup in south carolina, for the first time in two years. means a lot. yeah, i've worked so hard over the last 12 months to get

myself back to this place, i feel like i am enjoying the game as much as i ever have. i love the game of golf and i think that, you know i go out and play with joy, it has showed over the last 12 months, but yeah, it feels awesome. i am looking forward to celebrate with my team tonight and the next couple of weeks, because i think it's, it is a big achievement. i am proud of myself right now, and i want to go and enjoy this. that's all the sport for now. back to joanna on back tojoanna on downing street. thank ya you very muchjohn. another very busy day in politics, the nominations due to close at 2pm for who will be the next leader of the tory party and rishi sunak is the firm favourite to replace liz truss not just as firm favourite to replace liz truss notjust as leader of firm favourite to replace liz truss not just as leader of the tory firm favourite to replace liz truss notjust as leader of the tory party but uk prime minister, if he is anointed it could all happen by as

early as this afternoon. the former chancellor's only remaining rival is the leader of the house of commons, opiniony mordaunt, although she is trailing far behind in terms of the number of supporters she has, her team are saying she is o not bowing out and rishi sunak�*s team are saying he is taking nothing for granted. angela led some has been speaking in the past few minutes. we are speaking in the past few minutes. - are feeling extremely confident, there is a lot of support for penny from colleagues, we had that support from colleagues, we had that support from all sides of the party yesterday, and now that boris johnson has said that he is not going to stand, a lot of his supporters are also very keen on penny, so many will be coming to her, what is important is that people understand that penny is a fresh face that the country needs, but she is also the unity candidate that the party needs.—

but she is also the unity candidate that the party needs. andrea leadsom sa int the that the party needs. andrea leadsom saying they are — that the party needs. andrea leadsom saying they are supremely _ that the party needs. andrea leadsom saying they are supremely confident . saying they are supremely confident and penny mordaunt is the unity candidate. and penny mordaunt is the unity candidate. i'm joined now by dr liam fox, mp for north somerset and a richi sunak supporter. do you it is all over? think everyone _ do you it is all over? think everyone is _ do you it is all over? think everyone is going - do you it is all over? think everyone is going to i do you it is all over? think everyone is going to have l do you it is all over? thinki everyone is going to have to do you it is all over? think i everyone is going to have to wait another four hours because everyone is going to have to wait anotherfour hours because i imagine rishi sunak and penny mordaunt will spend time talking to colleagues over that period. i imagine, to maximise the number of supporters that they have. and i am afraid i don't think there will be an early end to this today. you don't think there will be an early end to this today.— don't think there will be an early end to this today. don't think there will be an early end to this toda . ., ., ., ., end to this today. you have moved on from boris johnson, _ end to this today. you have moved on from boris johnson, but _ end to this today. you have moved on from boris johnson, but has _ end to this today. you have moved on from boris johnson, but has the i from borisjohnson, but has the party? have all of your mps, in other words, can whoever comes in next actually deliver unity, and stability? next actually deliver unity, and stabili ? ~ , ., stability? well, if you referring i was a iztoris _ stability? well, if you referring i was a boris johnson _ stability? well, if you referring i was a boris johnson supporter i stability? well, if you referring i i was a boris johnson supporter that was a borisjohnson supporter that is not right. i have been with rishi

sunak from the is not right. i have been with rishi sunakfrom the beginning. ? i am sunak from the beginning. ? i am totin sunak from the beginning. ? i am going further— sunak from the beginning. ? i am going further back, _ sunak from the beginning. ? i am going further back, brexit and boris johnson, but any way, up—to—date, now. johnson, but any way, up-to-date, now. , ., johnson, but any way, up-to-date, now. , . ., , �* johnson, but any way, up-to-date, now. , . �* ., johnson, but any way, up-to-date, now. ,. ., , now. yes, and i wasn't a boris johnson supporter _ now. yes, and i wasn't a boris johnson supporter then. i i now. yes, and i wasn't a borisj johnson supporter then. i take now. yes, and i wasn't a boris i johnson supporter then. i take your point, that i think the key thing here is, is that we were elected in 2019, on a manifesto that we still have to deliver for the british people. we need to provide stability, competence and certainty, at a time of huge international disruption, we still have got putin's war raging in ukraine, with the human damage worse by the day, we have still got the problems of global instability in the economy, partly from the pandemic, partly from the commodity shock of that war, there is a great dealfor the government to do, and i think that the british people will expect the government to provide them with calm confident and competent government. i think that is what rishi sunak

offers. calm, confident and competent government. it is go going to be very difficult. these are very difficult times, people in their homes are facing difficult decisions in terms of dealing with the cost of living. where is the next leader going to be able to deliver the sort of spending cuts and the tax increases that are going to be needed to deliver stability on the markets? the needed to deliver stability on the markets? ., , needed to deliver stability on the markets? .,, ,., ., , markets? the most important thing is to indicate we — markets? the most important thing is to indicate we will _ markets? the most important thing is to indicate we will be _ markets? the most important thing is to indicate we will be physically i to indicate we will be physically prudent, we won't plan to spend money we don't have, and in the international markets can can be confident that the united kingdom's economy will be run responsibly, of course we have the financial statement next week which will set out what the economic position will be in more detail but we have to understand that the british government doesn't operate in a

vacuum, there are big international pressures, interest rates are being driven up and probably will continue to be driven up by the actions being taken by the federal reserve in the united states, what we can do is make sure there is no additional premium on interest rates by snake making certain that the british economy is run with a degree of clarity, and confidence from those markets. we are of course a country that still is borrowing because we spend more money than we earn, as long as we are borrowing we have to show those we are borrowing from we are a good risk. it is show those we are borrowing from we are a good risk-— are a good risk. it is not 'ust your tolitical are a good risk. it is not 'ust your political opponents i are a good risk. it is not 'ust your political opponents who i are a good risk. it is notjust your political opponents who are i are a good risk. it is notjust your| political opponents who are saying there needs to be an election, there are voices within the tory party who are voices within the tory party who are saying that rishi sunak, if he does become prime minister does not have a mandate. it is not clear what he stands for currently, and he hasn't stood on a manifesto for what he would potentially deliver. do you think an election is avoidable? yes.

i think think an election is avoidable? yes. i think that — think an election is avoidable? yes. | think that the — think an election is avoidable? yes. ithinkthat the last— think an election is avoidable? yes i think that the last thing we think an election is avoidable? 123 i think that the last thing we need, adding the uncertainty of a general election would be the last thing that the international markets would want to see, from the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. 0n of great britain and northern ireland. on this question of mandate, in britain the mandate is not given to the leader of a party. it is given to the party. elected on its manifesto. we have still more than two years to run in this parliament. we have a big majority in the house of commons and i think the british people are right to think that we have a duty to fulfil that manifesto and carry out the promises we made, as i said with competence and confident for the future. dr liam fox, thank you very much for joining us. for some context let's talk to dr harshan kumarasingham, senior lecturer in politics at edinburgh university. well, thank you very much for joining us. how do you contextualise

this. we are in a time of new ground being broken, records being set all the time. , , , the time. indeed. isuppose it is almost the time. indeed. i suppose it is almost without _ the time. indeed. isuppose it is almost without historical - the time. indeed. i suppose it is- almost without historical precedent. the conservative party was always seenin the conservative party was always seen in historical terms as the natural party of government, so having this very, the briefest premiership in british political history is very unusual and though there have been many party crises in there have been many party crises in the past, including of economic matters, over leadership, this is still rather extraordinary.- still rather extraordinary. there are a number— still rather extraordinary. there are a number of— still rather extraordinary. there are a number of voices - still rather extraordinary. there are a number of voices not i still rather extraordinary. there are a number of voices notjust| are a number of voices notjust among political points but with the tory party itself, saying there needs to be a general election. there is no mandate for what is coming, how do you see that? well, i i su- tose coming, how do you see that? well, i i suppose there _ coming, how do you see that? well, i i suppose there are _ coming, how do you see that? well, i i suppose there are two _ coming, how do you see that? well, i i suppose there are two elements i coming, how do you see that? well, i i suppose there are two elements to i i suppose there are two elements to it. on the constitutional side it is

correct there does not need to be a general election tilljanuary 2025, and, and it is true that a prime minister or political leader in britain does not need a direct mandate, from the electorate, that being said taking the political side of this, there is very much a major issue with the, a prime minister than may emerge this afternoon, would have the same backing that was given to the conservatives in 2019, to carry on, and so it would be, there would be immense pressure on whoever than person is, as there was on truss to convey they are able to hold the trust of the electorate and also maintain the confidence given in 2019. where would you, where do

you believe the british public are, not in who they are supporting, but what the connection is between politics and the people, in these very difficult times, and there is the political infighting we are seeing, do you think it is damaging trust, and how would you see that in the context of what has gone before? i think there is a considerable erosion of trust in the government, and in politics in general, and part of after that is, it is the circumstances and context, not entirely done because of the british government but nonetheless created a feeling of fear, and instability and one of the things that the british political system historically offered was a sense of stability,

and a sense that the political leaders, whatever their political party want an wuefrld would govern for the many, rather than the few, i suppose those conventioned round leadership what happens in parliament, and the cabinet table had been in some ways overthrown by the infighting within the conservative party, and its unlikely whoever becomes prime minister today, or later this week, would be today, or later this week, would be to be able suddenly build over those cracks in the british political system, and wider societal problems. thank you forjoining us. joinine me now is andrew palmer

who is the britain editor at the economist — he also came up with the lettuce analogy for liz truss which featured on the front page of the daily star last week. last week's news basically, what is your assessments of how things stand today? ida your assessments of how things stand toda ? ., ., , ., ., ., , your assessments of how things stand toda ? ., ., ., ., , ., today? no vegetable analogies today, joanna. i today? no vegetable analogies today, joanna- i mean. _ today? no vegetable analogies today, joanna. i mean, it— today? no vegetable analogies today, joanna. i mean, it looks— today? no vegetable analogies today, joanna. i mean, it looks very - today? no vegetable analogies today, joanna. i mean, it looks very likely i joanna. i mean, it looks very likely we will get a coronation later today. if it is rishi sunak, i think thatis today. if it is rishi sunak, i think that is the best outcome from the field that was facing us, but it is not a great outcome so he is a competent physically responsible orthodox big your, and that is good, given the economic and market constraints that britain faces at the moment, but he has a monstrous it is a it can ahead of him and it will bea it is a it can ahead of him and it will be a very difficult winter. and so, i mean you said no vegetable analogy, do you think he can last the distance, can he go effectively

for two years, the longest there can be before a general election or will there need to be one sooner? it is -ossible there need to be one sooner? it is possible but _ there need to be one sooner? it is possible but he _ there need to be one sooner? it 3 possible but he does face incredibly difficult choices, so, you know, on monday we will get this medium term fiscal plan in which some difficult choice also have to be made. there will be a combination almost certainly of tax rises and spending cuts, that will be very unpopular understandably and that will lay on to what was going to be a difficult winter, so the politics are bad. the tory party seems to be coalesce round him but it remains a very very fractured entity. it has become ungovernable and you can imagine fissures opening up quickly as difficult decisions are made. we know there are issues round the

northern ireland protocol for the eurosceptic part of the party, we know there are tensions over immigration, so there may be a moment of coalesce sense in the next days and week, but the tory party itself is prone to breaking apart over things and may do so again. it is possible we get a two—year sunak administration, it is possible we end up in this position again. thank you very much andrew palmer from the economist. it is looking potentially like there may be a new inhabit of numb fern by the end of the day, but it is not over, the nominations for the next tory party leader, the next prime minister close at 2pm and that is when we will know where things are going, so, stay with us, we will be here with all the twists and turn, but now back to the studio. thanes so much for that. a hugely

consequential day in westminster and we will be back withjoanna shortly. first i want to talk you through some of the day's other news in the studio here in london. the streets are dressed for diwali, also known as the festival of lights. in singapore, this is where the community will shop for the festive season. many of the first indian migraines were cattle traders in little india. newer immigrants came and started other businesses sell things like spices, flowers and clothes. for this man, what began as a modest space is now a megaemporium. his father started the business in 1960, selling daily necessities to labourers from india.

i lived in this place for more than 50 years of my life, helping my dad since the age of nine, and growing up in this area, i have seen this place grow. the businesses here supported the community and the community supported the business. time is frozen in certain parts of little india. all trades like this barbershop sits quietly next to new trades like this cafe. commercial activity is bustling here. but out of all the 1,000 shops that line these streets, many of them are owned by men, and that sparked an idea for entrepreneurjoyce kingsley, who started a group to connect the women in little india. there are many women who are interested in business actually, but they don't know how to go about starting it. when we bring them together we guide them where the funding,

the schemes that are available, with the government, so we give directions, and they are able to get started. in ten years, the association grew from a team of six to more than 100 members. one of them manages a family owned jewellery store. being a female business owner, i see many people, they don't come out because their family doesn't support them, but here we break the barrier and we come out and we achieve more, and still we are trying to achieve greater heights. from hole in the wall shops to megaretailers, this enclave has evolved over the decades to serve the changing needs of the community.

we go through this week it continues to be unseasonably mild. today what we have got is the rain continuing to move away across north east scotland, having cleared the south and east of england, leaving us we a mixture of bright spells, sunshine and showers, some of the showers in the west could be heavy and it will be a breezy day for england and wales, less so for scotland and northern ireland, with a top temperature up to 17 or 18. as we head through the eve ning and overnight there will be clear sky, it will be breezy and we will see a few showers but it is going to be a mild night, our overnight lows falling yea between nine and 13. tomorrow then, a bit of dry weather round, some sunshine, some showers in the west, they will be hit—and—miss but through the morning we will start to see the cloud thicken, then south wales and the arrival of some rain and breezy

conditions if not windy here, top temperatures of 18.

this is bbc news. live from downing street where rishi sunak is the firm favourite to replace liz truss as the uk's prime minister. the former chancellor arrived a short time ago at his campaign headquarters. he has a commanding lead among conservative mps as they choose their next party leader. i think he has all the really good ideas on his site and i think you would be a terrific prime minister, if it comes to that. rival penny mordaunt is still well short of the 100 backers she needs to go forward to a vote. but her supporters insist she's not pulling out of the contest

we are feeling supremely confident this morning. there is a lot of support for a penny from colleagues. we