Kwasi Kwarteng and Liz Truss have not ruled out a Tory comeback, as the Conservative Party prepares to appoint a new leader on November 2 to replace Rishi Sunak. Shadow home secretary James Cleverly has expressed interest in standing for the party leadership, acknowledging that there will be a crowded field in the race. The 1922 Committee has set the rules and timeline for the leadership contest, with nominations opening on Wednesday and closing on July 29. Potential candidates include Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride, Kemi Badenoch, Jeremy Hunt, and Victoria Atkins, representing different factions within the party. The process will culminate in the new leader being announced on November 2, with Rishi Sunak remaining acting leader until then.
Tory leadership race – live: Cleverly hints he will stand in contest with winner to be announced in November
Kwasi Kwarteng refuses to rule out Tory comeback from himself or Liz Truss
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The Conservative Party will appoint a new leader on November 2 to replace Rishi Sunak.
Shadow home secretary James Cleverly has thrown his hat into the ring and said there is a “reasonable chance” he will stand for the party leadership.
There will potentially be a crowded field in the race and Mr Cleverly acknowledged he is not the only one giving it “serious thought”.
The 1922 Committee of backbenchers has agreed the rules and timeline for the leadership contest.
Mr Sunak will stay acting leader until a successor is appointed, and urged for “a smooth and orderly transition to a new Leader of the Opposition”.
Nominations will kick off on Wednesday evening and close in the afternoon on 29 July. Each candidate will need a proposer, seconder and eight nominations to qualify.
Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, and Priti Patel, the ex-home secretary, are likely to represent the right of the party in the contest.
Tom Tugendhat and ex-work and pensions secretary Mel Stride are expected to run as centrist candidates.
Another possible Tory leadership race contender on the party’s right is Kemi Badenoch, while Jeremy Hunt and Victoria Atkins are among more moderate figures who could launch bids.
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Bob Blackman: Engage in “proper debate, not personal attacks”
Bob Blackman, chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, has urged MPs and party members to remain respectful through the leaderdship contest.
He said: “I am determined that our party will have a respectful and thorough leadership debate. I believe that this timetable will allow for this.
“While there are significant debates to be had about our party’s future, we must remember that the country – and our members – want to see us engaged in proper debate, not personal attacks.
“I am confident that this process will allow for this.”
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Cleverly warns Tories against factional fighting ahead of leadership race
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Robert Jenrick emerges as frontrunner in new poll
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has been chosen as the favourite amongst among party members, according to a new poll.
Mr Jenrick, who quit Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet over the Rwanda Bill, emerged ahead of Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat, Dame Priti Patel and Suella Braverman.
Conservative members were asked in a poll by The Telegraph to rank their top four choices for next leader from a list of candidates who have signalled they will run.
Some 55 per cent of members listed Mr Jenrick as one of their top choices for next leader.
Jabed Ahmed23 July 2024 09:45
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Conduct Tory leadership bid ‘with civility’, Lord Houchen urges Braverman
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How does the Tory leadership contest work?
The three month process will begin this week, with the winner announced on 2 November.
Nominations will open on Wednesday and candidates need the the backing of 10 MPs to enter the first round of voting.
MPs will narrow this down to four candidates, who will then have a chance to speak to party members at the Conservative conference which starts on 29 September.
It will then be whittled down to two candidates, with the final winner chosen by Conservative Party members in an online ballot.
Rishi Sunak will remain the acting leader until November.
(PA Wire)
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Who is in the running and what are their odds?
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Mel Stride confirms he is considering Tory leadership bid
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Cleverly hints he has the backing of enough MPs
James Cleverly has said “there is a reasonable chance” he will throw his hat in the ring for the Tory leadership.
Asked whether he had the backing of 10 MPs, needed to enter the first round of voting, the Conservative frontbencher told Sky News: “I’ve had lots of very kind words from colleagues, both former colleagues and current colleagues.”
After Suella Braverman warned that the party risks becoming “centrist cranks”, Mr Cleverly said: “Trying to carve up and divide up and factionalise … is the wrong way of thinking.”
Jabed Ahmed23 July 2024 08:35
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Cleverly not ruling out running as the next Tory leader
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly has refused to rule out running as the next Tory leader.
The senior Conservative told BBC Breakfast: “That is tomorrow’s work. I am going to talk about Labour’s catastrophic start in the home affairs portfolio.
“The leadership is important but what is actually my job at the moment is holding Labour to account and that is incredibly important because they are dropping the ball and it is being missed because of course there are other events going on, the Conservative leadership contest for example.
“But they are making terrible mistakes and it is not being noticed and it should be noticed because this goes to the heart of the security of our borders and our ability to make sure this country is safe.”
(BBC)
Salma Ouaguira23 July 2024 08:09
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New Conservative leader to be named on 2 November, party announces
The person chosen to replace Rishi Sunak will be named just days before the US presidential election, which is on 5 November.
The 1922 Committee has drawn up a timetable for the contest after the party suffered the worst general election result in its parliamentary history.
Former business secretary Kemi Badenoch and ex-foreign secretary James Cleverly are expected to pitch themselves as candidates aiming to bring the right and centrist wings of the party together after the humiliating defeat on 4 July.
Mr Sunak said: “It’s in the national interest for us to have a smooth and orderly transition to a new leader of the opposition, so I will stay in post until November 2nd, and the result of our leadership election.
“This will allow our party to fulfil its role as the official opposition professionally and effectively. I believe this is what is best for the Conservative Party and, most importantly, our country.
“It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment about the leadership campaign or candidates. I am confident that this timetable decided by the party board and the 1922 Committee will allow for a thoughtful, professional and respectful contest.”
Salma Ouaguira23 July 2024 08:00
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-party-leadership-race-sunak-badenoch-braverman-cleverly-b2579867.html