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Louise Thomas
Editor
James Cleverly has surged to the top of the Tory leadership race, winning the backing of the most Conservative MPs after a barnstorming conference performance.
The former home secretary topped the third round ballot of Tory MPs, winning the backing of 39 in total.
It turns the race to succeed Rishi Sunak on its head, with Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch now in a life or death struggle – before members begin voting on a final two from Thursday.
Former immigration minister Mr Jenrick, who was considered the favourite in the run up to the Tory conference last week in Birmingham, placed second with 31 votes.
Ex-business secretary Ms Badenoch, a favourite among the Tory rank and file, was third with just 30 votes.
Mr Tugendhat, a former security minister and favourite of the One Nation caucus of Tory MPs, was knocked out after being backed by just 20 votes.
The final two will be decided by a further ballot of MPs on Wednesday, before an online ballot of Tory members from October 10 to 31.
The winner of the contest will be announced on November 2.
Tuesday’s shock poll will set up a 24-hour scramble for Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch to try to ensure they have enough support to get to the final two. There is now just one vote separating the two right-wingers, one of whom will take on the more centrist Mr Cleverly, seen as a unifying figure in the party.
It comes after Mr Cleverly, who was an outsider in the race until the party’s annual gathering in Birmingham, appeared to woo party members with his speech on the final day of the conference, which received the loudest cheers in the hall.
The remarkable turnaround saw him almost double his support among MPs, jumping from 21 votes last round to 39. Mr Jenrick lost two votes to receive 31 while Ms Badenoch picked up just two additional backers to win his 30 votes.
Eliminated candidate Mr Tugendhat thanked his supporters after Tuesday’s ballot.
Responding to the result, he said: “I’m grateful to all my colleagues for their support today, and I’m pleased to be through to the next round.
“The job’s not finished. I’m excited to keep spreading our positive Conservative message.”
In a post on X, he said: “To everyone who backed our campaign – thank you!
“Your energy, your ideas and your support have shown a vision of what our party could become.
“Our campaign has ended but our commitment to our country continues.”
