Tom Tugendhat and Robert Jenrick join Tory leadership race as James Cleverly leads with MP endorsements - live
Three Tories have thrown their hats in the ring as the three-month leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak begins
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Robert Jenrick is the third Tory MP to announce his bid to become the next leader of theĀ Conservative party after Tom Tugendhat submitted his papers.
The two contenders will challenge James Cleverly and other MPs hoping to replace the outgoing Rishi Sunak after the election defeat.
Mr Tugendhat, seen as a candidate from the moderate wing of the party, indicated he would be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if needed to regain control of UK borders.
Shadow home secretary Mr Cleverly is currently leading the leadership race with three endorsements from Tory MPs, including Gagan Mohindra, Peter Fortune and Simon Hoare.
Kemi Badenoch could be throwing her hat in the ring soon after her leadership website was spotted under maintenance.
Other former cabinet ministers expected to announce their bids include Priti Patel, Mel Stride andĀ Suella Braverman.
The Conservative Party willĀ appoint a new leader on 2 November and contenders have until Monday to win the support of the 10 MPs they need to make it onto the ballot paper.
Tories accused of ādropping ballā in key policy areas
The future Tory leader is set for a fierce fight against Labour to clean the Toriesā record after Sir Keir Starmer accused the opposition of ādropping the ballā on various issues.
Speaking from Runcorn, the prime minister said the āhard graft of rebuilding this country has truly startedā as he accused the previous government of leaving a ārot of short-sightedness and self-serviceā for Labour to clear up.
Sir Keir said āevery dayā his administration is finding āmore messā that the Tories left behind.
āThe hard graft of rebuilding this country has well and truly started, and it is vital that we begin immediately because the last government dropped the ball,ā he said.
āThey left us the worst inheritance since the Second World War, and every day ā every day ā weāre finding more mess that theyāve left for us to clear up.
āThe rot of short-sightedness and self-service that has weakened the foundations of our country.ā
Sunakās ally Mel Stride ālikely' to announce leadership bid
Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, one of Rishi Sunakās closest allies, has said he is considering running after āa number of colleaguesā urged him to stand.
The former cabinet minis previouslyĀ said he is considering running for the Conservative Party leadership after āa number of colleaguesā urged him to stand.
The shadow work and pensions secretary, one of Rishi Sunakās closest allies, said launching a leadership bid is ācertainly a possibilityā.
The Central Devon MP is viewed as a safe pair of hands within the party and was frequently sent out to tour broadcast studios to defend Mr Sunakās leadership during the disastrous General Election campaign.
First elected to Parliament in 2010, he hung on to his seat by just 61 votes.
He is seen as on the more moderate wing of the party.
Ladbrokes has Mr Stride at 28/1 for the leadership, while he is at 31/1 with Betfair Exchange.
Kemi Badenochās Tory leadership website on maintenance mode
Kemi Badenochās Tory leadership website is undergoing maintenance which could mean she is preparing to announce her bid.
The combative former business secretary, who has been involved in a number of high-profile clashes, is seen as a strong contender. She had a good run when she competed for the leadership in 2022.
The former Equalities Minister, known for her āanti-wokeā approach, was tipped to become the new āMargaret Thatcherā before she became fourth in the final ballot behindĀ Penny Mordaunt, Mr Sunak and Liz Truss.
She was also favorite to become the next leader with the support of 25.83% of grassroots Tories, according to a poll.
Priti Patel āfeared the mostā by Farage to become next Tory leader
Priti Patel is a longstanding Eurosceptic who has said she was inspired to join the Conservative Party by Margaret Thatcher.
Nigel Farage previously said he fears Dame Patel the most out of possible candidates to replace Rishi Sunak.
She became an MP in 2010 and served in Cabinet positions under Theresa May and Boris Johnson, as international development secretary and home secretary respectively.
Dame Priti was a leading figure in the Vote Leave campaign, and as home secretary launched a points-based immigration system, signed the agreement with Rwanda to send asylum seekers to the country, and sealed returns deals with Albania and Serbia.
She resigned as home secretary after Liz Truss became Tory leader.
A prominent figure on the right, Dame Pritiās odds with Ladbrokes are 6/1, while Betfair Exchange has her at 11/1.
Watch: Moment James Cleverly announces running for Conservative party leadership
How will the next Tory leader be chosen?
Leadership elections for the Conservative Party usually consist of two stages.
In the first stage Conservative MPs choose two candidates to put forward as potential leaders.
The rules and procedures for the first stage of a leadership election are not in a publicly available document. They are determined by the Conservative Partyās 1922 Committee of backbench MPs in consultation with the Conservative Party Board.
When a Conservative leadership contest is held, the chair of the 1922 Committee will announce the rules to be followed and the timetable.
If there are more than two candidates the field is narrowed, usually through a series of ballots, depending on the number of candidates.
If multiple ballots are needed, the candidate with the lowest vote will be eliminated and MPs are re-balloted until only two candidates remain.
In addition, candidates may be eliminated if they fail to meet a pre-declared threshold of votes.
In the unlikely event that only one candidate is nominated they will become leader of the party, but they may be subject to a vote of party members to ratify the result.
Cleverly vows to get Tories āback into the habit of winningā
James Cleverly has revealed three reasons why he is standing to be leader of the Conservative Party.
The shadow Home Secretary said he wants to unite the party, hold Labour to account by being an āeffective oppositionā and get the Tories āback to our winning waysā.
Posting on X, he said:
Who were the candidates on the last Tory leadership contest?
More than half a dozen Tory MPs put themselves forward to lead theĀ Conservative party and become the next prime minister in 2022.
A dozen of candidates put their names forward but only seven were nominated. During the first round,Ā Jeremy HuntĀ andĀ Nadhim ZahawiĀ were the two least favoured candidates.
Rishi SunakĀ topped the ballot with the backing of 88 MPs, while Portsmouth MPĀ Penny MordauntĀ beat Liz Truss for second place with 67 votes to Trussās 50.
Tom Tugendhat received 37 votes, Kemi Badenoch got the backing of 40 MPs and Suella Braverman received 32.
Tugendhat accused of U-turn on ECHR approach
Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat seems to have changed his mind on leaving the European Convention of Human Rights.
The shadow security minister, who is seen as a more centrist political figure, said he would be ready to leave the convention.
But in 2023, he claimed ditching the ECHR could have consequences for the Good Friday Agreement, Windsor Framework and the devolved nations.
Bob Blackman: Engage in āproper debate, not personal attacks"
Bob Blackman, chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, urged MPs and party members to remain respectful through the leaderdship contest.
He said: āI am determined that our party will have a respectful and thorough leadership debate. I believe that this timetable will allow for this.
āWhile there are significant debates to be had about our partyās future, we must remember that the country ā and our members ā want to see us engaged in proper debate, not personal attacks.
āI am confident that this process will allow for this.ā
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments