Three Front-Runners Advance
Tom Tugendhat has joined James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick in securing a place in the second stage of the Tory leadership contest after reaching the threshold of 10 MP nominations. Mr. Tugendhat's team confirmed they had "signatures to spare," solidifying his spot in the race to replace Rishi Sunak.
Divided Tory Party
Former Home Office ministers Tugendhat and Jenrick, along with Shadow Home Secretary Cleverly, believe they are the ones who can unite all factions within the fractured Tory party. While Tugendhat and Jenrick are willing to pull Britain out of the ECHR to address the small boats crisis, they come from opposite sides of the Conservative spectrum, with Jenrick seen as right-wing compared to the more moderate Tugendhat.
Looking Ahead
Tugendhat expressed his gratitude for the support from fellow MPs, emphasizing the need for change within the party to secure a victory in the next general election. Cleverly also expressed his eagerness to engage with colleagues and party members as the leadership race progresses.
Future of the Race
With nominations open until next Monday, other potential contenders include Kemi Badenoch and Priti Patel. Over the summer, Tory MPs will narrow down the field to four candidates, who will then present their cases to party members at the conference in October. The final two candidates will be voted on by members in an online ballot, with the winner set to be announced on November 2.
