Rishi Sunak, the former British Treasury chief whose resignation spurred Boris Johnson's ouster as prime minister, gained early momentum in the race to become the country's next leader, as the Conservative Party began to whittle down a crowded list of contenders.

Sunak launched his campaign in central London on 12 July, promising integrity and a long-term plan to fix Britain's inflation-stricken economy. He unveiled two prominent cabinet ministers as backers, during a slickly produced event with the slogan "Ready for Rishi."