Following a number of ballots by Conservative MPs, two candidates are left in the race to become the next Prime Minister: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt. They will participate in 16 hustings around the country before Conservative Party members have a final vote. The result is expected by 25 July 2019.
The race was only briefly commented on at the June European Council, where the agenda focused instead on the long-term EU budget, EU external relations, issues relating to Russia and Turkey, and who would fill the top positions in the EU, due to be decided upon by the end of the summer.
This edition of the Brexit Brief outlines key issues in the Conservative Party race, as well as developments in the EU and Ireland – including the publication of the EU Commission North-South mapping exercise, and a report by the Northern Ireland civil service on the outlook for business in Northern Ireland under a no-deal Brexit.
This Brexit brief is available here.
