Jay Chan, 16, moved from Hong Kong to Birmingham, England, two years ago. But he has already cast his vote which will help determine who will become Britain’s new Prime Minister. This is how the British system works.

Jay attends ‘hustings’, Conservative Party meetings. Here, party members engage in conversation with two of their party leader candidates. Based on these conversations, they determine who they will vote for, and thus who will become the new Prime Minister of the UK. Anyone can join the Conservative Party, there is no age limit.

No new elections

Boris Johnson stepped down not only as prime minister in early July, but also as party leader of the Conservation Party. As there is no obligation in Britain to hold new elections if the government falls, Johnson’s party will remain the largest after his departure.

The candidate who will soon be elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party will also become prime minister on behalf of the Conservatives. So the future party leader could go directly to Queen Elizabeth after her victory, to be appointed as the new British Prime Minister.

A different prime minister every week

That’s how the UK system works, says deputy editor-in-chief Henry Hill of leading platform Conservativehome.com. “Few people are happy about this. In principle, the UK Parliament can appoint a new prime minister every week if they want.”

The Conservative Party is not even obliged to ask its members who they think deserves to be the new leader. That the party does this now is a choice, Hill said.

‘It’s an honor to participate’

It is doubtful whether Conservative Party members reflect British society. Details on who the members are is difficult to pinpoint, according to Hill. But it is known that there are about 160,000 members, that they are mostly older and wealthier than the average Briton and that they live mostly in London and southeast and east England.

Representative or not, Jay thought it was great that he could participate in this election: “I am from Hong Kong. I am an immigrant, I came to this country for freedom and democracy. I am honored to be a part of participating in this democratic process.”

Sunak’s frame

He already knew who Jay would pick: Liz Truss, because of her foreign policy and her resolute appearance. And he is not alone in this. Truss is ahead of his opponent Rishi Sunak in all polls. However, there were still Sunak supporters at the meeting in Birmingham.

Grahame Taylor, for example, who allowed himself to be convinced by her in the evening: “I think he showed so much charisma tonight and fit into his audience so well, he really won me over. And I think a likable leader always does well in an election. ”

Euroskeptic

However, Sunak’s chances of winning do not seem too great. Rishi Sunak argues for more government spending and even wants to raise certain taxes. Truss is the classic conservative candidate, who supports tax cuts and small government.

Although he once opposed Brexit, he now has a strong EU skeptic profile. And that, according to deputy editor-in-chief Hill, is what Conservative Party members are now looking for. “Sunak needs a miracle to bridge the distance.”