Rivals race to catch Boris Johnson as UK Tory race narrows

Britain's Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson leaves his home in south London, Wednesday June 19, 2019. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson increased his lead in the race to become Britain's next prime minister Tuesday in a Conservative Party vote that eliminated one of his rivals and enabled upstart candidate Rory Stewart to defy expectations by remaining in the contest. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

British Conservative party leadership contender Michael Gove gestures as he leaves BBC House after a TV debate in central London Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti)

Britain's Conservative Party is set to kick one more candidate out of the contest to become the country's next prime minister, as rivals scramble to catch front-runner Boris Johnson.

The five-strong field will be narrowed in elimination votes by Tory lawmakers Wednesday and Thursday, with the two top candidates going to a runoff of party members across the country.

One of the remaining candidates, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, says he is talking to Environment Secretary Michael Gove about combining forces. He says the question is "who is best able to politely and respectfully defeat Boris Johnson."

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid are also in the race.

The winner, due to be announced in late July, will replace Theresa May as Conservative leader and prime minister.