Robert Jenrick has taken the lead in the race to be the next leader of the Conservative Party, winning the first round of voting among Tory MPs.
The former immigration minister secured 28 votes, putting him ahead of Kemi Badenoch, the early favourite, who garnered 22 votes.
Priti Patel, a former home secretary and long-time figure in the Conservative Party, was eliminated from the race after receiving only 14 votes.
Her elimination marks a significant shift in support within the party’s right wing, with Jenrick now emerging as the leading candidate to represent that faction.
The other candidates who remain in the race are former security minister Tom Tugendhat, ex-home secretary James Cleverly, and Mel Stride, who each received 17, 21, and 16 votes, respectively.
The second round of voting will take place next week, with the final two candidates being voted on by Conservative Party members. The new leader is expected to be announced on 2 November.
Shift in Tory right-wing support
Jenrick’s victory in the first round is notable not only for the number of votes he secured but for what it signifies about the state of the Conservative Party.
A former ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Jenrick’s political profile has risen significantly since his resignation from Sunak’s government late last year over disagreements about the Rwanda immigration policy.
His departure at the time was seen as an effort to distance himself from the perceived weaknesses of Sunak’s administration, particularly regarding immigration, a key issue for the Conservative right.
In his resignation letter, Jenrick expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to deportation flights to Rwanda, arguing for a stronger stance that would bypass the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
This principled stand has earned Jenrick the support of right-leaning MPs, many of whom previously supported Suella Braverman and Priti Patel.
Patel’s elimination from the race further solidifies Jenrick as the favourite among those advocating for tougher immigration policies.
In response to her loss, Patel thanked the Tory members, councillors, and association officers who supported her campaign, referring to them as “the heart and soul of our party.”
She also called on her colleagues to “unite around our Conservative values.”
Moderates in a tight contest
While Jenrick has rallied support from the right, the fight for moderate Tory MPs is still highly competitive. Kemi Badenoch, who was widely regarded as the frontrunner, secured 22 votes, falling just behind Jenrick.
Badenoch has been a popular figure in local Conservative associations, but her parliamentary campaign appears to lack the same momentum.
James Cleverly, a former home secretary, came in a close third with 21 votes, and Tom Tugendhat, a prominent figure in the One Nation wing of the party, received 17 votes.
The fact that Tugendhat remains in the race, albeit narrowly, suggests that the moderate wing of the party has yet to coalesce around a single candidate.
Mel Stride, the candidate with the closest ties to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, received 16 votes, narrowly avoiding elimination.
Stride’s survival in the first round suggests there is still support for a candidate closely associated with Sunak, though he will need to secure more backing to advance to the final stages.
What happens next?
The next round of voting, which will take place next week, will be crucial in determining which two candidates will face the final vote from Conservative Party members.
The key question now is where the votes from Patel’s supporters will go. As a former favourite of the party’s right wing, her backers may naturally lean towards Jenrick, who has positioned himself as the hardline candidate on immigration and national security.
However, some of Patel’s supporters could switch their allegiance to Badenoch, who, despite not securing the top spot in the first round, remains a popular figure within the party.
Badenoch’s campaign has focused on addressing “hard truths,” and she has significant grassroots support, which could still carry her through to the next round.
In contrast, Cleverly, who has argued for a more pragmatic approach to the ECHR and immigration issues, could see an uptick in support if moderate MPs believe he is the best candidate to unify the party in the next general election.
Following the first round of voting, Cleverly stated that “momentum” was on his side and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory.
Tugendhat, meanwhile, continues to position himself as a candidate for renewal and reform. After the first round, he said he was “honoured” to have made it through and reiterated his commitment to “making Britain a better place.”
His appeal to centrist and One Nation Conservatives may prove crucial in the upcoming votes.
Labour dismisses candidates
Following the first round of voting, a Labour Party spokesperson dismissed the candidates, arguing that none of them were capable of delivering the change needed in the UK.
The spokesperson pointed to the past 14 years of Conservative rule, stating that “not one of them is prepared to learn from the lessons of the past.”
As the Conservative leadership contest heats up, the outcome will likely shape the direction of the party as it prepares for the next general election.
With Jenrick now leading the pack, the party’s right wing is asserting itself in the race, but the final result remains far from certain.
The next few days will determine whether Jenrick can consolidate his lead or if a moderate contender like Badenoch, Cleverly, or Tugendhat can overtake him as the favourite to succeed Sunak.
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