The plan was proposed by senior ministers amid concerns that a six-week battle of candidates criticising each other would leave whoever wins weakened, providing ammunition for Jeremy Corbyn.
But Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart warned against any 'coronation' as they arrived for the Conservative National Convention Hustings in central London, while Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt expressed the same view.
All six of the candidates for the Conservative leadership - Mr Johnson, Mr Hunt, Mr Stewart, Mr Javid, Mr Raab and Michael Gove made their pitches to local volunteers at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel.
Mr Javid, the Home Secretary, was greeted by a heckler who shouted 'People's Vote Home Secretary' as he arrived.
He told reporters: 'I don't want to see a coronation. There needs to be a proper process that's followed through.
'We had a coronation the last time. That didn't work out well so let's not make the same mistake again.
'Let's give the opportunity to the members to have their say.'
He added it was 'clear' Boris Johnson would be one of the final two leadership candidates but he was happy to be in the running.
Mr Stewart echoed Mr Javid's comments and said the party members 'deserve a choice'.
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