Conservative Leadership Race Narrows to Three Contenders

LONDON — In the aftermath of a significant electoral loss, the remaining Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) in Britain have narrowed down the leadership race to three candidates: James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Kemi Badenoch. The election seeks a successor to outgoing leader Rishi Sunak, with the decision scheduled for announcement on November 2.

Tom Tugendhat, Shadow Security Minister, was eliminated from the contest after receiving support from only 20 of the 121 Conservative MPs still in parliament. The results from Tuesday’s ballot highlighted a notable surge in support for James Cleverly. Initially considered an underdog, Cleverly, who has held positions as both Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary, garnered the backing of 39 MPs, showing an increase of 18 votes from the previous round.

Cleverly’s unexpected momentum followed his strong performance at the Conservative Party’s recent conference. He advocated for party unity and presented a vision of legacy promotion with optimism. “Be more normal,” Cleverly urged from the conference lectern, emphasizing unity over internal divisions. ConservativeHome, a grassroots Tory publication, reported that 55% of its members felt more inclined to support Cleverly following the conference.

Joining Cleverly in the race is Robert Jenrick, the former Immigration Minister, who secured 31 votes, slightly decreasing by two from the prior round. Known for his centralist stance, Jenrick has recently shifted toward the right on immigration issues as he vies to secure one of the final two spots on the ballot.

Jenrick, notable for co-authoring an endorsement of Boris Johnson during the Brexit leadership debates, faced a challenging party conference in Birmingham. His controversial remarks about military actions and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) drew criticism from fellow candidates, decreasing his appeal among members.

Kemi Badenoch follows closely behind with 30 votes. Badenoch’s campaign has been marked by her assertive approach and commitment to addressing controversial topics. She has drawn attention for her statements regarding maternity pay and her engagement in cultural debates, often positioning herself as a champion of free speech.

As MPs prepare for the next round of voting to determine the final two candidates, the contest remains tightly contested. The winner of the leadership race will face the formidable challenge of uniting the party following its worst electoral defeat and preparing for upcoming political challenges.