The race to be Britain’s Brexit leader

London (AFP) – Five candidates are hoping to replace David Cameron as leader of Britain’s ruling Conservative party and prime minister following the June 23 vote to leave the EU.

Here are some key facts about the contest:

– Timetable

Cameron set the ball rolling with his resignation the day after the referendum, and the Conservative party’s 1922 Committee set out the timetable a few days later.

Candidates had only a few days to declare before Thursday’s deadline, a rapid process likely to favour frontrunners. Five threw their hats into the ring.

Conservative MPs will hold a first vote next Tuesday to eliminate the least popular, and will continue until they have whittled down the race to two.

The final pair will be put to party members in a postal ballot, with an estimated 150,000 members eligible to vote.

The winner will be announced on September 9 and will automatically become prime minister once Cameron steps aside, without any need for a general election.

– Candidates –

Five candidates have declared: Cabinet ministers Theresa May, Michael Gove and Stephen Crabb, junior minister Andrea Leadsom and former minister Liam Fox.

Former London mayor Boris Johnson, the Brexit campaigner widely viewed as the frontrunner, pulled out after Gove sensationally withdrew his support at the last minute.

THERESA MAY – Interior minister since 2010, the 59-year-old backed Britain staying in the EU but was barely involved in the campaign and is painting herself as the candidate who can unite a divided party.

Seen as an effective, hard-working operator, she stresses her sober public image as a benefit in turbulent times, and is currently the favourite among Conservative MPs.

MICHAEL GOVE – The justice secretary is an intellectual and ideologue who has not always had popular support, but his lead role in arguing for Britain to leave the EU has won him many fans among Tory party members.

The 48-year-old has long been distrustful of the EU and his decision to back Brexit, which severely strained his once close friendship with Cameron, was driven by his desire to reassert national sovereignty.

STEPHEN CRABB – Appointed as work and pensions minister only in March, the Welsh MP has a low profile but his working-class background gives him an advantage in a party often seen as elitist.

The 43-year-old, a committed Christian raised in social housing by his single mother, is seen as a long shot, particularly given his support for the EU — but commentators note that anything is possible these days.

ANDREA LEADSOM – The former banker and fund manager was virtually unknown outside Westminster before the referendum but her strong performances in television debates backing a “Leave” vote raised her profile.

The 53-year-old was first elected to parliament in 2010 and was made a junior energy minister last year.

LIAM FOX – The former defence minister and one-time family doctor lost out to Cameron in the 2005 Tory leadership race, and only has an outside chance this time.

The 54-year-old right-winger campaigned against the EU and has support from some sections of the Tory membership.