After the coup, the contest that will expose faultlines in a fractured Conservative party

Rishi Sunak, the ex neighbour from No 11, is off to a strong start ... but bad blood seems likely, whoever moves in at No 10

Shortly after Boris Johnson struggled through prime minister's questions on Wednesday, as the list of resignations from his government grew, a senior Tory MP sat down in a quiet corner of the House of Commons and agonised alone over what to do.

He had been loyal to Johnson until then but could see the way the wind was blowing. I really don't know," he said, grimacing and shaking his head when asked where he stood on the great question of the moment. I know we can't go on like this. But I can't think of anything worse right now than a leadership contest."