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Washington Bureau Chief
In a shocking turn of events, James Cleverly has been eliminated of the Tory leadership race, leaving Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch to face a vote of the party membership.
The ex-home secretary was in a leading position to make it through the latest stage after leapfrogging former frontrunner Mr Jenrick to first place on Tuesday.
But Tory MPs decided to knock him out after Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister and favourite of the One Nation caucus of Tory MPs, also lost the race on Tuesday.
Ms Badenoch emerged as the frontrunner in the final vote, securing 42 votes from MPs and positioning herself as strong contender to succeed Rishi Sunak.
Mr Jenrick closely trailed behind with 41 votes, while Mr Cleverly’s campaign took a dramatic downturn result with just 37 votes.
The final two MPs will now face an online ballot of Tory members from 10 to 31 October, with the winner of the contest announced on 2 November.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faced a grilling from Rishi Sunak in his first PMQs since reshuffling his Downing Street leadership team, after Sue Gray’s shock exit as his chief of staff.
Labour: Conservatives now choosing between two architects of Tory failure
Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves has not hold back in her criticism of the Conservative leadership contest, which has now narrowed to Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick.
She said: “After months of gaffes, wild unfunded policies and infighting, Tory members now have the unenviable task of choosing between two of the architects of Tory failure.
“Both Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are central figures in 14 years of hapless leadership and decline, and have already proven they’ve learned nothing from the mistakes that took the Conservative Party to its worst defeat in modern history.
“While the endless bickering continues, Labour is fixing the foundations and sorting out the mess that these two deeply unimpressive figures left behind.”
James Cleverly ‘grateful’ to support from members
Tory leadership race: Badenoch and Jenrick locked in close race
Lib Dems: If this were an interview process they would’ve put the job advert up again
The Liberal Democrats have reacted to this dramatic Tory leadership result.
Against the polls, Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have made it to the final round of the Conservative leadership election.
Cabinet office spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “If this were an interview process they would’ve put the job advert up again.
“The best the Conservatives can come up with is a failed former Minister who’d vote for Donald Trump and failed former Minister who thinks maternity pay is excessive
“Whoever wins this election will be tainted by the Conservatives legacy in government for years to come.”
ANALYSIS | Tories played tactically to choose candidates on the right
Tory MPs have made a profound decision by ditching the last centrist candidate James Cleverly and picking two candidates on the right of the party.
The result shows that the usual games playing has been taking place with MPs tactically switching votes.
But the choice of Kemi Badenoch versus Robert Jenrick is the MPs saying that the party needs to go hard right to take on Nigel Farage and reform UK.
Breaking: Cleverly knocked out of Tory leadership race
James Cleverly has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race.
Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are now to face a vote of the party membership.
Here’s the full result:
- Kemi Badenoch: 42
- Robert Jenrick: 41
- James Cleverly: 37
Tory MPs ready to hear the result
Tory MPs have entered the committee room ahead of the final results announcement.
Tensions are high as the decision on which of the remaining three rivals is knocked out is the closest ballot yet.
COMMENT | Labour’s poll ratings are dreadful – here’s how they can bounce back
Keir Starmer’s first 100 days in office have been marred by unforced errors – but his new chief of staff has kickstarted a radical overhaul of the Downing Street operation, says John Rentoul:
Lunchtime bulletin
It’s a bustling day in Westminste, with the return of PMQs this afternoon and the Tory leadership race set to narrow down to two contenders in a matter of minutes.
- At PMQs Sir Keir Starmer did not rule out the possibility of a national insurance tax increase for business or changes to debt rules in the upcoming budget.
- Tory leader Rishi Sunak reiterated his commitment not to raise national insurance, VAT, or income tax for “working people”.
- The prime minister also kept the door open for a youth mobility scheme with the EU.
- As for the Conservative leadership race, the party is currently counting MPs votes to determine who will advance to the final round.
- James Cleverly is currently leading the pack and is widely anticipated to secure his place, while Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are vying for the second position.
Tory leadership voting now closed
Voting has now closed in the final round of Conservative MPs casting their ballots in the Tory leadership contest.
The result will be announced at 3.30pm.
