July 29th 2024.
The Conservative Party is in for a wild ride as the search for a new leader reaches its climax. With nominations closing later today, there's a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air. But don't get too carried away just yet - it's going to be a long wait until November 2nd when Rishi Sunak's successor will finally be announced, a whopping three months from now. Six candidates have thrown their hats into the ring: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, and Dame Priti Patel. However, one potential contender, Suella Braverman, has decided not to stand after receiving criticism from her peers.
The race for the Conservative leadership has already seen its fair share of drama and infighting as party members try to determine the future direction of their party. This time around, the candidates are vying for the position of Leader of the Opposition rather than Prime Minister, at least for the time being. So who exactly is in the running? Let's take a closer look at the confirmed candidates.
The first to enter the race was James Cleverly, a familiar face in the political landscape. He has served in Cabinet under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, and has held positions such as party chairman and Education Secretary. Cleverly is known for his charisma and media savvy, making him a potential bridge between the party's right-wing and center. However, he has faced controversy in the past for making an inappropriate joke about date rape, which undermined the government's efforts to tackle drink spiking.
Next up is Tom Tugendhat, a former officer in the Territorial Army. He's the only candidate on the list who has never served as a Secretary of State, but he has held positions such as Minister for Security and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Tugendhat first gained public attention in the 2022 Tory leadership contest but dropped out early and endorsed Liz Truss. He's seen as a centrist in the party and is popular among both the public and 2024 Tory voters.
The third candidate to throw their hat in the ring was Robert Jenrick, a former Housing Secretary. He's been making waves in the media with his stance on immigration, an issue that has been at the forefront of his work in parliament. Jenrick has been a vocal critic of the government's handling of the Rwanda deportation scheme and resigned as Immigration Minister in 2023, citing the lack of action on the issue. He may appeal to the more hardline members of the party who feel that the Conservatives lost the election due to their immigration policies, but his involvement in a controversial housing development by a Tory donor may cause some concern.
As the race for the Conservative leadership heats up, it's clear that the party is at a crossroads. With different ideologies and agendas at play, it remains to be seen who will come out on top and lead the party into the future. One thing is for sure - it's going to be an interesting few months ahead.
The Conservative party is in the midst of a thrilling race to find their new leader, with nominations set to close later today. But despite the excitement, it's important to remember that the process will take over three months, with the final announcement being made on November 2nd. Six individuals have put themselves forward for the position: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, and Dame Priti Patel. Suella Braverman, who initially had the support of 10 MPs, has decided not to run due to negative labeling.
There has already been some contentious infighting as party members grapple with the future direction of their party. This time, the candidates are vying for the role of Leader of the Opposition instead of Prime Minister, at least for the time being. So who exactly is in the running for the Tory leadership? Let's take a closer look at the confirmed candidates.
First up is James Cleverly, who made his intentions known through a social media post. He hopes to "re-establish our reputation as the party who, in government, helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams, and their aspirations." Cleverly has been a prominent figure in the House of Commons for many years and has served in various roles, including party chairman under Boris Johnson and Education Secretary under Liz Truss. He was also the first Black Foreign Secretary in UK history, and he currently holds the position under Rishi Sunak's leadership.
Tom Tugendhat, a former officer in the Territorial Army, was the second candidate to put himself forward for the leadership position. While he has not held a Secretary of State role, he serves in Cabinet as the Minister for Security and has spent five years as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Tugendhat gained some recognition in the 2022 Tory leadership contest, but ultimately backed Liz Truss for the role. He is seen as more central in his political beliefs and has the support of both the public and 2024 Tory voters, according to a recent poll.
The third candidate to declare their intention to run was Robert Jenrick, alongside Cleverly and Tugendhat. Jenrick, a former Housing Secretary, had reportedly been positioning himself as a potential leadership candidate in the days following the General Election. He has been vocal about his stance on immigration, an issue that has been at the forefront of his work in parliament since 2022. While he served as Immigration Minister under Rishi Sunak, he ultimately resigned in December 2023, citing a lack of action in resolving legal issues with the government's Rwanda deportation scheme. Jenrick may appeal to those who believe the party lost the election due to not taking a hard enough stance on immigration, but his involvement in a housing development with a Tory donor could also be a point of contention.
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