For the next two months, the news headlines will be dominated by Tory leadership rivals jostling over policies such as tax cuts, the Northern Ireland protocol and their vision for 'global Britain'.
But what about more mundane matters which reveal the candidates' personalities and private tastes?
Here are some homespun facts about the eight front-runners…
Rishi Sunak
Mother's job: Ran chemist's shop
Middle name: None
Favourite food: Maryland cookies
Pets: Labrador retriever called Nova
Favourite drink: Mexican Coca-Cola
Cars: Range Rover, Lexus, BMW and VW Golf
Sajid Javid
Mother's job: Corner shop owner
Middle name: None
Favourite food: Samosas
Pets: Cavapoo called Bailey
Favourite drink: Coke Zero
Car: Land Rover Discovery
Nadhim Zahawi
Mother's job: Dentist
Middle name: None
Favourite food: Grilled chicken or steak and chips
Pets: Cockapoo called Biscuit
Favourite drink: Red wine
Car: Hybrid Range Rover
Liz Truss
Mother's job: Nurse and teacher
Middle name: Elizabeth (Her first name is Mary)
Favourite food: Anything spicy
Pets: None
Favourite drink: White wine
Car: Unknown
Grant Shapps
Mother's job: Ran photographic business
Middle name: None
Favourite food: Spaghetti bolognese
Pets: Two dogs and two cats
Favourite drink: Guinness
Car: Tesla
Jeremy Hunt
Mother's job: Nurse
Middle names: Richard Streynsham
Favourite food: French
Pets: Labrador called Poppy
Favourite drink: Red wine
Car: Jaguar XJ
Priti Patel
Mother's job: Ran newsagents
Middle name: Sushil
Favourite food: Pizza
Pets: None
Favourite drink: Gin and tonic
Car: Range Rover
Tom Tugendhat
Mother's job: Home-maker
Middle names: Georg John
Favourite food: Fish fingers with rice and peas
Pets: Cat
Favourite drink: Larkin's ale
Car: VW Golf
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