Following the resignation of Boris Johnson as Leader of the Conservative Party, Hunt announce he would be participating in the Conservative Party leadership election to replace Johnson as Leader. He criticised Johnson for investing in infrastructure instead of "wealth creation", and proposed policies including a moratorium on taxes for businesses in underdeveloped areas for five years, and a cut to corporation tax to 15% instead of a proposed rise to 25%. He also said he would retain the rise in National Insurance rates, and would not cut income tax until he "[got] the economy growing". Hunt said Esther McVey would be Deputy Prime Minister if he were to become prime minister. He was removed in the first round of voting on 13 July, receiving 18 votes. He endorsed Rishi Sunak after being removed.