Boris Johnson is privately urging Conservative MPs to back him for a dramatic return to Downing Street with a pledge that only he can win the Tories the next election.
Having spent just 45 days in office, Liz Truss announced she is stepping down with a Conservative Party leadership election to take place within the next week.
The former prime minister is pressing Rishi Sunak to reach out and “get back together” in a remarkable olive branch after their public falling out at the top of government, according to the Daily Telegraph.
However, it appears more likely that Mr Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Mr Johnson will face off in a seven-day race to the highest office in British politics.
Six weeks after leaving office, Mr Johnson has asked allies, donors and the team that helped him to win the 2019 general election to run his campaign for a return to No 10.
Sturgeon says election is a "democratic imperative"
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the situation was an "utter shambles", with ordinary people paying the price.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, the first minister said she thought the resignation was "inevitable" the moment Liz Truss walked into Downing Street.
Ms Sturgeon said a general election was a necessity, but said it would not solve the "fundamental problem" for Scotland.
"Scotland's votes don't determine the outcome of UK general elections," she said.
"So as long as we're part of this Westminster system, we're always going to be vulnerable to getting prime ministers we don't vote for, implementing policies that we don't support and do real damage to the country.
"The democratic case for independence is growing with every hour that passes."
Contest timeline
Here is how the election contest will unfold over the next week.
Thursday, October 20
- Nominations open in the evening
Monday, October 24
- 2pm: Nominations close
- 3.30pm: First ballot of MPs
- 6pm: Result of first ballot
- 6.30pm: Indicative vote on final two candidates
- 9pm: Result of indicative vote
- Late evening: If there is a final two, online members’ voting opens
Friday, October 28
- 11am: Online members’ voting closes
- Afternoon: Result of the contest announced