New Rules to Crack Down on Smearing Rivals
Tory leadership hopefuls will be hit with a yellow card if they smear their rivals under new rules to crack down on foul play. Party chiefs are eager to avoid blue-on-blue mud-slinging and have made it clear they will name and shame anyone engaged in dirty tactics.
Six Candidates in the Race
Leading the charge is shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, the bookies' favorite. Fellow right-wingers ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick and ex-Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel are gearing up to challenge her. Competing for centrist votes are shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, shadow home secretary James Cleverly, and shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride.
Warning from Party Chairman
Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announced the six candidates who will battle it out to replace Rishi Sunak. He emphasized the importance of avoiding backbiting and attacking colleagues, stating that such behavior was detrimental to the party's performance in the past election.
Yellow Card Consequences
If candidates engage in smearing tactics, they will receive a warning and potentially a public statement denouncing their actions. Mr. Blackman stressed that such behavior could significantly harm a candidate's chances of winning the leadership race.
Winner to be Revealed on November 2
The Tory leadership race will unfold over the next three months, with the winner set to be announced on November 2.
