Next Conservative Leader Odds: Robert Jenrick favourite with Mel Stride eliminated

With the second round of voting taking place, we take a look at the contenders to be next Conservative leader, with Robert Jenrick slight favourite ahead of Kemi Badenoch.

Priti Patel was first eliminated having picked up the fewest votes in the first round of voting. Jenrick won 28 votes, Badenoch won 22, James Cleverly won 21, Tom Tugendhat was next with 17, Mel Stride was one behind on 16, with Patel last on 14.

Stride, as was widely expected, has now been eliminated having won 16 votes, fewer than Tugendhat and Cleverly on 21, Badenoch on 28 and Jenrick on 33.

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How do Tory leadership elections work?

In order to qualify as a nominee, MPs need the backing of at least 10 Conservative MPs, which will be narrowed down to four.

Following a series of hustings after parliament returns on 2nd September, there will be a vote between Conservative MPs to decide the final four. The first vote took place on 4th September, with another vote taking place on 9th September between Conservative MPs to whittle the field down to four.

More votes will follow from 8th October until the final two candidates are established.

Once the final two have been decided, the Tory membership will vote between 15th and 31st October on who they want as their next leader.

Next Conservative leader candidates

James Cleverly

The MP for Braintree and former Home Secretary said he wants to 're-establish out reputation as the part who, in government, helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams, and their aspirations.'

Cleverly has spent a number of years as a cabinet minister, occupying roles including Foreign Secretary and Education Secretary.

Tom Tugendhat

Having made appearances in a number of constituencies throughout the election campaign, rumours were circulating that Tom Tugendhat was getting ready to throw his name into the ring, which have proven true.

Tugendhat admitted the previous government had lost the trust of the country, and although he may appeal to the more moderate voters within the party, he has said that he would consider leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, presumably as a move to appeal to the right of the party.

Robert Jenrick

Robert Jenrick was the third Conservative to put his name forward for the leadership and is the early favourite.

An early poll amongst party activists had Jenrick top with 55% as top choice for leader ahead of Kemi Badenoch.

Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch finished fourth in the 2022 leadership race but is expected to at least make the final two this time around.

While Badenoch will likely appeal more to the right of the party, she has also pledged to respond to the threat posed by Reform UK.

Should she make the final two, her straight-talking, no-nonsense approach would likely appeal to lots on the right of the party.