James Cleverly has emerged as a strong contender in the Conservative leadership race, leading the latest MPs’ vote with 39 out of 120 votes. This puts him ahead of Robert Jenrick with 30 votes and Kemi Badenoch with 29 votes. Tom Tugendhat, who came fourth with 20 votes, has been eliminated from the race.
In the previous round, Cleverly was tied for fourth place with Tugendhat at 21 votes. However, he has now solidified his position as a top candidate and is likely to make it to the final two in the upcoming vote by MPs. The final winner will be chosen by Tory members in a ballot on 2 November.
Jenrick, who had been leading in the previous rounds, saw a decline in support after a lackluster Conservative conference. His support dropped from 33 to 31 votes, creating a tight race between him and Badenoch, who gained two votes in this round. Badenoch’s campaign has capitalized on Jenrick’s setbacks, positioning her as the representative of the Tory right.
Despite Jenrick’s assertions that he is still in a strong position, Cleverly’s rise as the sole remaining centrist candidate could sway the vote in his favor. With Tugendhat out of the race, Cleverly is likely to attract some of his supporters, further solidifying his position in the final two.
Both Cleverly and Badenoch have expressed gratitude to their supporters and emphasized their commitment to the Conservative party. Cleverly, in particular, has gained momentum during the party conference, where he was praised for his performances in various events. He also received a formal endorsement from Mel Stride, who was eliminated in the previous round.
While Jenrick maintained a strong presence at the conference with his right-leaning message, Cleverly’s performance was perceived as slightly better. Badenoch, on the other hand, faced challenges following controversial comments she made in interviews and at fringe events.
As the race narrows down to the final two candidates, the dynamics of the competition are expected to shift. Cleverly’s strategic position as a centrist candidate with growing support makes him a formidable contender, while Badenoch and Jenrick will need to rally their supporters to secure their spots in the final vote by Tory members.
Overall, the Conservative leadership race continues to unfold with unexpected twists and turns, keeping both candidates and party members on their toes as they navigate the path to selecting the next party leader.
