Mr. Sunak is viewed by many in his party as too distant from ordinary Britons, and is being blamed by some for setting off the rebellion that toppled Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss have tried to adopt the style and themes of Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady whose sweeping right-wing policies remain popular among Conservative voters.
A former top finance official, Rishi Sunak, and the foreign secretary, Liz Truss, are competing to replace Britain’s departing prime minister. Here’s a guide to the contest.
The two emerged as the final candidates after five rounds of voting, and now will try to win over an electorate that had wearied of Mr. Johnson’s seemingly endless scandals.