U.K. Elite Lose Shot at Prime Minister Job With Boris Johnson’s Exit

LONDON—Among the early casualties on the Brexit political playing-field, lie the alumni of Britain’s elite private schools.

Until Thursday morning, Eton College, which has churned out 19 British prime ministers, looked likely to see another old boy ease into Downing Street. Instead, following Boris Johnson’s abrupt withdrawal, the next prime minister is likely to be from a school that was publicly funded, either wholly or in part.

That could help the party reconnect with disenchanted voters, says Tim Bale, politics professor at Queen Mary University of London. Voters might back “someone who looks and sounds different to the previous incumbent,” he said.

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Mr. Cameron’s election in 2010 marked a return of the elite. That year, 21% of his cabinet was educated at comprehensive state schools, where no fees are paid, according to the Sutton Trust, a think tank. This rose to about half by 2015.

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