The Conservative Party is a step closer to choosing a replacement for Rishi Sunak after picking a new leader of its backbench group.

Bob Blackman has been chosen as the new chair of the 1922 Committee.

“The 22”, as it is known, is the Conservative Party‘s backbench committee – meaning it organises things like leadership contests that are not part of the frontbench’s responsibilities.

Politics latest: ‘Biggest test of new government’

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sir Graham Brady, the previous chair, became well known for his visits to Downing Street to tell Tory leaders their time as prime minister was up.

He dispatched Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss after they lost the confidence of the backbenchers.

Sir Graham stood down as an MP at the last election.

The chair is also who Tory MPs write to when they have no confidence in the party’s leader; if they receive enough letters, a vote of no confidence is triggered.

Because Sir Graham stood back at the last election, the party has not been able to establish how Mr Sunak‘s replacement will be chosen.

But the process is now a step closer.

Following a meeting in a House of Commons committee room, Mr Blackman was picked following competition from Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Mr Blackman won by 61 votes to 37 – with 98 votes cast.

One Tory MP, Mark Francois, decried the voting as “bent”, storming out of the committee room and past waiting journalists.

He claimed whips said voting closed at 6pm, but he was turned away before this time.

Senior Conservatives Jeremy Hunt and Sir Edward Leigh were also refused a vote.

The rest of the committee is also expected to be picked today.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

The 22 will be meeting later this week – and it is likely this is where the process for how Mr Sunak will be replaced will begin to be hashed out.

However, it is not expected to come to a firm decision on the process immediately.

There is debate within the party about whether the successor should be chosen soon, or whether a longer contest should take place – possibly lasting until the party conference in September.

The likes of Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat and Victoria Atkins are all expected to stand.

Mr Sunak staying on means he will likely appear at official events and parliamentary showdowns like Prime Minister’s Questions against Sir Keir Starmer for the time being.

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack and Sam’s wherever you get your podcasts 👈

After his election defeat, Mr Sunak said: “Following this result, I will step down as party leader.

“Not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place.

“It is important that after 14 years in government, the Conservative Party rebuilds, but also, it takes up its crucial role in opposition professionally and effectively.”

Related posts:

Britain on the global stage NHS staff in England get pay rise of 3% after their contribution during ‘unprecedented year’ Boris Johnson’s address shows UK and allies clear-eyed about risk of military confrontation expanding beyond Ukraine Raab says Truss’ tax plans would be ‘political suicide’ as blue-on-blue attacks intensify Manston migrant processing centre now empty, Sky News understands SNP activist hints at attempt to challenge Humza Yousaf leadership Sunak and Gove pledge to see off housebuilding rebellions and increase number of homes Conservative mayor expelled from party over alleged antisemitic remarks Government’s new extremism definition will ‘vilify the wrong people’, warn Muslim organisations Diane Abbott: Why the Tories won’t return the race row money Meet Victoria Starmer, the incoming prime minister’s wife Labour’s landslide election in maps and charts