David Cameron's resignation leads to Tory power scramble but Boris Johnson keeps it low-key while George Osborne is posted missing

On the way out: David Cameron

David Cameron took just a few hours to announce that he would resign as British Prime Minister at the Conservative Party's October conference, following defeat for his Remain campaign at the European Union referendum.

And it didn't take long for behind-the-scenes moves to find a replacement to begin.

Front-runner is, of course, Boris Johnson, one of the key figures on the Brexit side, though he he has been remarkably low-key in the wake of what must be his most audaciously calculated triumph, having spoken in support of the EU in 2013.

BorisL On the ru?

However, rather than actively campaigning, Johnson instead chose to play cricket.

Some have speculated the relatively muted responses of Johnson and fellow Brexiter, Justice Secretary Michael Gove suggest they may have been surprised by the result and got cold feet.

Another explanation is that both recognise that open triumphalism of the kind displayed by UKIP leader Nigel Farage would play badly to the 48% of voters who supported remain.

Cameron's friend Liam Fox wasted no time in allowing the PM's political corpse to go cold, announcing to the BBC that he considers himself to be a contender, saying: “'I'm not ruling it out, I'm not ruling it in – I'm going to think about it over this weekend”.

That, of course, in political speak is an early marker hoping to garner support and some momentum before other aspirants can get their campaigns in order.

Fox clearly believes that he has served his time in political purgatory after he "mistakenly allowed" his personal and professional lives to become "blurred" over a relationship with a political lobbyist.

Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan called for one of the two names on the ballot paper to be a woman, emphatically ruling herself in while Home Secretary Theresa May is considered by many to be the “stop Boris” candidate.

Heavy-hitting women: Nicky Morgan and Theresa May

May, however, was on the losing Remain side in the referendum and, though she is widely seen as a heavy-hitter.

Other possibles include May's fellow Remainer Stephen Crabb and Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

While the leader of the Scottish Tories Ruth Davidson won many plaudits in England for her strong performance in favour of Remain, she is an unlikely contender, though her opposition to Johnson gained her admirers.

Whoever stands, it can be expected to be a bloody contest. Johnson is said to be about to be subjected to scrutiny of his colourful personal life as Cameron allies and Tory Remainers seek revenge.

As for Chancellor George Osborne – once thought likely to succeed Cameron – he is not currently accepting interviews in another bizarre twist, leading to speculation that he may be on a trip.