Tom Tugendhat and Robert Jenrick join Tory leadership race as James Cleverly leads with MP endorsements - live

Robert Jenrick is the third Tory MP to announce his bid to become the next leader of the Conservative party after Tom Tugendhat submitted his papers.

The two contenders will challenge James Cleverly and other MPs hoping to replace the outgoing Rishi Sunak after the election defeat.

Mr Tugendhat, seen as a candidate from the moderate wing of the party, indicated he would be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if needed to regain control of UK borders.

Shadow home secretary Mr Cleverly is currently leading the leadership race with three endorsements from Tory MPs, including Gagan Mohindra, Peter Fortune and Simon Hoare.

Kemi Badenoch could be throwing her hat in the ring soon after her leadership website was spotted under maintenance.

Other former cabinet ministers expected to announce their bids include Priti Patel, Mel Stride and Suella Braverman.

The Conservative Party will appoint a new leader on 2 November and contenders have until Monday to win the support of the 10 MPs they need to make it onto the ballot paper.

Key Points

• Kemi Badenoch 'prepares’ to announce leadership bid

• Robert Jenrick to run for Tory leader

• Cleverly leads race with three MP endorsements

• Tom Tugendhat joins race for Tory party leadership

• Next Tory leader urged to win back Reform voters

• Tugendhat denies ‘political opportunism’ over ECHR approach

Tugendhat surprised by Liz Truss’s ‘recklessness'

12:46 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat said he had been surprised by Liz Truss’s recklessness as he was quizzed about previously backing her.

“I stood against every other leadership contender at the last time and then I was left with the choice of two,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

He added: “Liz demonstrated a recklessness that surprised all of us.”The contender for the Conservative leadership dodged questions of whether backing Ms Truss and her economic plan showed a lack of judgment on his part.

He said: “What we need to be doing is focusing on the challenges that are facing us in the future. Over the last three, four years - you’re absolutely right. We have failed to deliver. That’s exactly why I’m standing because I think we need to unite this country. We need to rebuild that trust, and we need to deliver.”

Mel Stride attacks Labour’s ‘fantasy narrative’ on Tory legacy

12:35 , Salma Ouaguira

The former minister has hit out at Labour after the party accused the Tories of leaving a challenging government behind.

Mr Stride said: “More evidence the economy is heading in a positive direction, while Labour continue to talk it down to fit their own fantasy narrative.

“They have inherited the fastest growing economy in the G7, we can’t let them get away with claiming otherwise.”

The Tory MP is expected to announce his leadership bid today as three candidates threw their hats in the ring.

Tory leadership timeline

12:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick wins two backers

12:21 , Salma Ouaguira

The former immigration secretary has now received the backing of two Tory MPs.

MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham Caroline Johnson has announced she is supporting his leadership bid.

In a tweet, she said: “Pleased to nominate Rob Jenrick to lead the Conservative Party. Rob has sound Conservative principles and the temperament and attributes to be a great leader.”

It comes as Tory MP Danny Kruger, who is Mr Jenrick’s campaign manager, claimed the leader hopeful can “bring our party together”.

Tory MP Gagan Mohindra backs James Cleverly for leader

12:10 , Salma Ouaguira

MP for South West Hertfordshire Gagan Mohindra has announced he is backing James Cleverly.

He Tweeted: “Only James can unite our party, hold the government to account, and win the next General Election. That’s why I’m backing James Cleverly for Leader.”

Mr Mohindra is the third MP to support the shadow home secretary’s bid alongside Peter Fortune and Simon Hoare.

Tories accused of ‘dropping ball’ in key policy areas

12:10 , Salma Ouaguira

The future Tory leader is set for a fierce fight against Labour to clean the Tories’ record after Sir Keir Starmer accused the opposition of “dropping the ball” on various issues.

Speaking from Runcorn, the prime minister said the “hard graft of rebuilding this country has truly started” as he accused the previous government of leaving a “rot of short-sightedness and self-service” for Labour to clear up.

Sir Keir said “every day” his administration is finding “more mess” that the Tories left behind.

“The hard graft of rebuilding this country has well and truly started, and it is vital that we begin immediately because the last government dropped the ball,” he said.

“They left us the worst inheritance since the Second World War, and every day – every day – we’re finding more mess that they’ve left for us to clear up.

“The rot of short-sightedness and self-service that has weakened the foundations of our country.”

Sunak’s ally Mel Stride ‘likely' to announce leadership bid

12:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, one of Rishi Sunak’s closest allies, has said he is considering running after “a number of colleagues” urged him to stand.

The former cabinet minis previously said he is considering running for the Conservative Party leadership after “a number of colleagues” urged him to stand.

The shadow work and pensions secretary, one of Rishi Sunak’s closest allies, said launching a leadership bid is “certainly a possibility”.

The Central Devon MP is viewed as a safe pair of hands within the party and was frequently sent out to tour broadcast studios to defend Mr Sunak’s leadership during the disastrous General Election campaign.

First elected to Parliament in 2010, he hung on to his seat by just 61 votes.

He is seen as on the more moderate wing of the party.

Ladbrokes has Mr Stride at 28/1 for the leadership, while he is at 31/1 with Betfair Exchange.

Kemi Badenoch’s Tory leadership website on maintenance mode

11:50 , Salma Ouaguira

Kemi Badenoch’s Tory leadership website is undergoing maintenance which could mean she is preparing to announce her bid.

The combative former business secretary, who has been involved in a number of high-profile clashes, is seen as a strong contender. She had a good run when she competed for the leadership in 2022.

The former Equalities Minister, known for her “anti-woke” approach, was tipped to become the new “Margaret Thatcher” before she became fourth in the final ballot behind Penny Mordaunt, Mr Sunak and Liz Truss.

She was also favorite to become the next leader with the support of 25.83% of grassroots Tories, according to a poll.

Priti Patel ‘feared the most’ by Farage to become next Tory leader

11:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Priti Patel is a longstanding Eurosceptic who has said she was inspired to join the Conservative Party by Margaret Thatcher.

Nigel Farage previously said he fears Dame Patel the most out of possible candidates to replace Rishi Sunak.

She became an MP in 2010 and served in Cabinet positions under Theresa May and Boris Johnson, as international development secretary and home secretary respectively.

Dame Priti was a leading figure in the Vote Leave campaign, and as home secretary launched a points-based immigration system, signed the agreement with Rwanda to send asylum seekers to the country, and sealed returns deals with Albania and Serbia.

She resigned as home secretary after Liz Truss became Tory leader.

A prominent figure on the right, Dame Priti’s odds with Ladbrokes are 6/1, while Betfair Exchange has her at 11/1.

Watch: Moment James Cleverly announces running for Conservative party leadership

11:30 , Salma Ouaguira

How will the next Tory leader be chosen?

11:20 , Salma Ouaguira

Leadership elections for the Conservative Party usually consist of two stages.

In the first stage Conservative MPs choose two candidates to put forward as potential leaders.

The rules and procedures for the first stage of a leadership election are not in a publicly available document. They are determined by the Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee of backbench MPs in consultation with the Conservative Party Board.

When a Conservative leadership contest is held, the chair of the 1922 Committee will announce the rules to be followed and the timetable.

If there are more than two candidates the field is narrowed, usually through a series of ballots, depending on the number of candidates.

If multiple ballots are needed, the candidate with the lowest vote will be eliminated and MPs are re-balloted until only two candidates remain.

In addition, candidates may be eliminated if they fail to meet a pre-declared threshold of votes.

In the unlikely event that only one candidate is nominated they will become leader of the party, but they may be subject to a vote of party members to ratify the result.

Cleverly vows to get Tories ‘back into the habit of winning’

11:10 , Salma Ouaguira

James Cleverly has revealed three reasons why he is standing to be leader of the Conservative Party.

The shadow Home Secretary said he wants to unite the party, hold Labour to account by being an “effective opposition” and get the Tories “back to our winning ways”.

Posting on X, he said:

Who were the candidates on the last Tory leadership contest?

11:00 , Salma Ouaguira

More than half a dozen Tory MPs put themselves forward to lead the Conservative party and become the next prime minister in 2022.

A dozen of candidates put their names forward but only seven were nominated. During the first round, Jeremy Hunt and Nadhim Zahawi were the two least favoured candidates.

Rishi Sunak topped the ballot with the backing of 88 MPs, while Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt beat Liz Truss for second place with 67 votes to Truss’s 50.

Tom Tugendhat received 37 votes, Kemi Badenoch got the backing of 40 MPs and Suella Braverman received 32.

Tugendhat accused of U-turn on ECHR approach

10:49 , Salma Ouaguira

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat seems to have changed his mind on leaving the European Convention of Human Rights.

The shadow security minister, who is seen as a more centrist political figure, said he would be ready to leave the convention.

But in 2023, he claimed ditching the ECHR could have consequences for the Good Friday Agreement, Windsor Framework and the devolved nations.

Bob Blackman: Engage in “proper debate, not personal attacks"

10:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Bob Blackman, chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, 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.”

Report: Mortgage rate rises pushed 320,000 more people into poverty during Tory government

10:26 , Salma Ouaguira

While the Tories are busy choosing their next party leader, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has announced that mortgage rate rises pushed an estimated 320,000 more people into poverty during their time in power.

In 2022/23, the average mortgage rate was around 2.3%, translating to interest payments of £240 per month for a household with a typical outstanding mortgage, a report from the IFS said.

“But a 10th of households faced a mortgage interest rate of at least 4.7%, equivalent to £490 per month,” it continued.

The report said official poverty measures apply a single average interest rate to all households.

Absolute poverty among mortgage holders, officially 7.9% in 2022/23, is underestimated by around 70,000 people, according to the report.

Reacting to the figures, Labour’s treasury chief secretary, Darren Jones MP, said: “People are still paying the price of the Tories’ disastrous mini-budget that sent mortgages and rents spiralling.

“Reckless Conservative choices hit family and public finances alike, leaving the worst economic inheritance since the Second World War.

“This new Labour government will take the difficult decisions to fix the foundations of our economy so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.”

Braverman to Badenoch: Who could become the next Conservative leader?

10:15 , Salma Ouaguira

Kemi Badenoch, who has been involved in a number of high-profile clashes, is seen as a strong contender. She had a good run when she competed for the leadership in 2022, Archie Mitchell writes.

A combative former business secretary and one-time darling of the Conservative right, she was seen to have blotted her copy book, however, when she canned a pledged bonfire of EU red tape. She has yet to formally announce her candidacy but was one of seven candidates to request nomination forms for the contest.

Suella Braverman is another former home secretary, who caused a shock when she dramatically resigned from Mr Sunak’s cabinet. At the time, she warned him that his Rwanda deportation plan would fail and that he was leading the party into electoral oblivion.

Her more extreme attacks on her own party are seen as helping the chances of her opponents, including Priti Patel. And she has suffered early setbacks, with key supporters, including right-winger Danny Kruger and her long-time mentor Sir John Hayes, backing rivals instead.

Ms Braverman also requested a leadership pack – but she has also not yet formally launched her bid.

Tom Tugendhat joins race for Tory party leadership

10:05 , Salma Ouaguira

Jenrick to launch leadership campaign on Friday

09:53 , Salma Ouaguira

Robert Jenrick is expected to officially launch his leadership campaign next Friday.

By tomorrow, all candidates to stand in the contest will be announced with the deadline for nominations set on Monday next week.

At the rally event, the MP for Newark will launch his bid and attempt to convince Tories that he can lead the party from the opposition.

Robert Jenrick vows to ‘bring party together'

09:44 , Andre Langlois

Following the Tory leadership announcement, Robert Jenrick has promised to “bring the party together” if he becomes the new leader.

Danny Kruger, his campaign manager, is expected to submit the nomination this morning.

The Tory MP said: “To have any path back to government we must win back those voters we have lost - across the board but particularly to Reform. At the same time, we have to bring our party together, united behind one set of coherent Conservative principles.

“The British people need to be convinced that we are the most responsible and competent party of government for us to have any chance of winning in 2029, especially when we know Labour are set to fail on so many important issues for our country. Rob Jenrick will do that. He has the energy, temperament and policy agenda to take on our rivals and lead us back to power in five years.”

Breaking: Robert Jenrick to run for Tory leader

09:26 , Salma Ouaguira

Robert Jenrick has announced he will stand to replace Rishi Sunak as the next leader of the Conservative Party.

According to the Telegraph, he has managed to make it to the ballot paper after gathering the support of 10 Conservative MPs.

A one-time close ally of Mr Sunak, he also turned on the former PM over issues such as immigration and housebuilding in the dying days of his premiership.

Some Tory MPs, on both wings of the party, are wary of his apparent change of heart on the issue. But he is seen as someone with the politics to win back right-wing voters lost to Reform UK, with the personality of David Cameron to help the Tories win back voters lost to the Liberal Democrats in the blue wall.

He is also yet to formally kick off a campaign, but is one of the seven expected candidates who have picked up nomination papers.

Farage accuses Tory leadership candidates for ‘pretending’ to want to quit ECHR

09:25 , Salma Ouaguira

Nigel Farage has accused Tory leadership candidates of only “pretending” to want to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Reform UK leader said ditching the ECHR had become a priority for contenders because his party is now a political “force”.

Mr Farage has previously used his maiden speech in the Commons to call for a referendum to stop the membership.

He tweeted this morning: “ECHR membership is a Tory leadership issue because Reform are a force. The difference is we want to leave and they just pretend.”

Tugendhat denies ‘political opportunism’ over ECHR approach

09:17 , Salma Ouaguira

Conservative leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat has denied that his suggestion that he would be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is political opportunism.

“No, I’ve been very, very clear I am prepared to make any decision that will keep the British people safe,” he told GB News when questioned about his change of tone on the issue.

“I am prepared to leave the ECHR, or indeed any other institution that doesn’t serve the interests of the British people.”

Mr Tugendhat talked up his experience as former security minister and in the armed forces, saying he has a “track record of delivery” for the British people.

Which Tories have ruled themselves out of the leadership race?

09:14 , Salma Ouaguira

With Tories starting to throw their hat in the ring, others, have decided to not run at the race.

Victoria Atkins announces she will not stand for the Tory leadership and claimed it was never her intention to put her name forward.

The former health secretary had previously left the door open for a leadership bid in the run-up to the General Election.

Ms Atkins, who held her Louth and Horncastle seat with a reduced majority, had been discussed as a contender from the more moderate wing of the party.

She was reportedly talked up by former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, in a leaked recording from December, as a “star” capable of leading the Tories.

But in a Telegraph article on Wednesday night she said: “I am flattered that many people in the House and beyond have asked me to stand, but it has never been my intention to run in this contest.”

Another former contender to leave the ring was Jeremy Hunt.

Having previously run for leader in 2019 and 2022, Mr Hunt has ruled himself out of having a third go.

After surviving a scare to cling on to his Godalming and Ash seat at the General Election, the shadow chancellor told GB News the “time has passed” for a further attempt.

Most popular Tory leadership contender revealed in new poll

09:04 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has emerged as an early frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest because he has the lowest negative rating with members of the public.

According to Savanta, the former security minister has a net rating of -3 with the wider public and +28 with 2024 Tory voters.

It comes in stark contrast to former home secretary Priti Patel who has scored -28 net rating with the public and +7 with Conservative voters.

The pair are among seven MPs understood to be entering their names into the race as nominations open today for contenders to replace Rishi Sunak. They are set to close on Monday with those getting the support of 10 other Tory MPs allowed to go forward.

Our political editor David Maddox has the full story:

Most popular Tory leadership contender revealed in new poll

Shadow minister urges party to become a ‘diligent’ opposition

08:54 , Salma Ouaguira

Andrew Griffith has urged the future Tory leader to form a “diligent” opposition to win back votes lost to Reform UK.

He told Sky News: “It is not about Reform it is about how we get back the Conservatives that gave us their votes in 2019 and previous elections and for whatever reason did not support us at the last election.”

He said the way to win back the electorate is to make sure the party is a “diligent” opposition.

The shadow science secretary added: “There is lots of significant challenges and the road back is going to be hard and require a lot of discipline. You control what you can control.”

Andrew Griffith rules out running in the leadership race

08:41 , Salma Ouaguira

Shadow science secretary Andrew Griffith has confirmed he will not run in the race to replace Rishi Sunak as the next Conservative leader.

He told Sky News: “Anyone would fancy it, but I am not standing.”

Mr Griffith added: “We have got a good bench, I’d like to see that develop over the next few days. it is a really important job and we have a big piece of work to do to demonstrate trust and competence.

“There is a debate about policy but I think above all else it is about how we demonstrate as a Conservative Party what we stand for and how we can deliver it competently.

“That starts with being a good leader of the opposition.”

Tom Tugendhat launches leadership bid in video

08:29 , Salma Ouaguira

The Tory leadership contender has posted a video launching his bid to become the next party leader.

In the clip, he admitted “where we failed” and vowed to rebuild the trust lost during 14 years of Tory administration.

He said: “We said we’d cut taxes and they went up. We said we’d cut immigration, it went up. We let people down. We lost their trust.

“We fought among ourselves, instead of delivering for the British people.

“We forgot leadership is about fixing the problems people actually care about. I will end the infighting, rebuild the trust and deliver for you. I want to lead the Conservative party and make us ready for government in five years time.

Mr Tugendhat then promised voters that a future Conservative government will be straight with the public, adding: “We will say what we mean and we will do what we say.”

More rivals expected to run in Tory leadership contest

08:17 , Salma Ouaguira

The battle for the future of the Conservative Party officially began on Wednesday night with the opening of nominations in the contest to replace Rishi Sunak following the Tories’ worst general election result.

A long and potentially divisive campaign will eventually produce a winner on November 2.

The first to launch his leadership campaign was James Cleverly, joined by Tom Tugendhat.

With just a few days until nominations close, we could see more Tory MPs confirming their bids today. They have until 2.30pm on Monday and contenders need a proposer, seconder and eight other backers to stand.

The parliamentary party will then narrow the field down to four, who will make their case at the Conservative Party Conference, which runs from September 29 to October 2.

Tory leadership contender refuses to trash Rwanda scheme

08:07 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has refused to say whether the Rwanda deportation scheme was wrong.

Asked the question on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Tugendhat said he was “not going to be laying out policies in that specific way, what I am going to be talking about is Conservative values”.

Pressed on where the Tories had got wrong with their policies, he replied: “What went wrong is we failed to deliver.”

Tom Tugendhat touts his record in leadership tilt

08:04 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat is running for the Conservative leadership on a record of delivery, Archie Mitchell writes.

The Tory MP said the party needs to admit it failed to deliver for the public after the 2019 election, highlighting his own achievements as evidence he can turn it around.

Mr Tugendhat told LBC: “I have a track record of delivering, whether that’s on operations in the military in Afghanistan or Iraq, or whether that’s standing up to dictators in Parliament, which got me sanctioned by China, Russia and Iran.

“Or whether it’s delivering on the security agenda that, sadly, I haven’t been able to talk about, for rather obvious reasons as the cabinet minister responsible for national security.”

He added: “Those areas have demonstrated that I can deliver and unite the party to make sure we are able to win the next general election.”

Tugendhat refuses to name his biggest threat in the leadership race

08:02 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has refused to name his key contenders in the race to become Tory leader.

The shadow minister confirmed he has enough support for nomination.

But when asked about who could be his biggest threat, he said: “What is interesting about these competitions is that I am up against a lot of people, people who are friends of mine, worked with and in partnership with.”

Pressed on whether he has his eyes put on Kemi Badenoch, the MP for Tonbridge said: “I can’t answer the question I am afraid.”

Shadow security minister accuses Labour of ‘undermining the MoD'

07:56 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has accused the Labour government of “undermining” the Ministry of Defence after failing to set up a timeline for defence spending.

He has been asked about claims from the chief of the general staff Sir Roly Walker that the UK must be ready for war within three years.

The shadow security minister said: “He is talking about is the failure to prepare we have seen in the run up to conflict. We saw this when I was serving in Afghanistan.”

Hitting out at the government, he added: “I am worried about what Labour has set out, they haven’t put a timeline, they have undermined the MoD and their capacity to plan. And they have made it harder for defence industry to make sure we can support our operational needs.”

Tugendhat refuses to say whether he is ready to leave the ECHR

07:47 , Salma Ouaguira

Conservative leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat has denied that his suggestion that he would be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is political opportunism.

“No, I’ve been very, very clear I am prepared to make any decision that will keep the British people safe,” he told GB News when questioned about his change of tone on the issue.

“I am prepared to leave the ECHR, or indeed any other institution that doesn’t serve the interests of the British people.”

Mr Tugendhat talked up his experience as former security minister and in the armed forces, saying he has a “track record of delivery” for the British people.

Tom Tugendhat: ‘We need to rethink everything’

07:40 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has said the Conservative Party needs to “rethink everything” after facing its worst general election defeat in history.The Tory leadership contender, seen as one of the front-runners, said the party failed to deliver since the 2019 contest, Archie Mitchell writes.

And Mr Tugendhat, from the moderate wing of the party, pointed specifically to soaring migrant numbers and the rising tax burden when asked why voters rejected the Conservatives.

The morning after officially launching his leadership bid, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What we need to do is look at everything that happened in the last four or five years and make sure we rethink the agenda on which we stand.

“We are three weeks into a five year term of opposition, sadly, and we need to rethink everything we do in order to serve the British public… it’s going to take time but at the moment we need to apologise for the mistakes we made and recognise we failed to deliver.”

Tugendhat vows to ‘rebuild’ people’s trust in the Tories

07:39 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has promised to rebuild voters’ trust in the Conservative Party if he becomes the new leader.

He told Sky News: “My pitch is very simple, we have lost the trust of British people because we have failed to deliver.

“And we need to focus on delivering for the British people. Over the past few years I’ve demonstrated in operations in the military, in Afghanistan and Iraq that I’m able to deliver and I am able to stand up against authoritarian dictators.”

He added: “That track record of deliver is absolutely essential to rebuild that trust.”

Who will be the next Tory leader?

07:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has joined James Cleverly in publicly declaring his candidacy in the race to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader.

There will potentially be a crowded field in the contest as Mr Cleverly acknowledged he was not the only one giving it “serious thought” ahead of nominations opening on Wednesday evening.

Mr Sunak, who led the Tories to their worst general election result, will remain as leader until a successor is appointed.

The winner will be announced on November 2. Here are the key contenders to watch:

• James Cleverly

• James Cleverly

• Kemi Badenoch

• Suella Braverman

• Dame Priti Patel

• Robert Jenrick

• Mel Stride

In full: Tom Tugendhat hints he would leave ECHR

07:23 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat has become the second senior Tory to announce a leadership bid, indicating he would be prepared to quit the European Convention on Human Rights to protect the UK’s borders.

The shadow security minister, who joined James Cleverly in publicly declaring his leadership ambitions, insisted he could lead the Conservatives to victory at the next general election.

Launching his leadership campaign in the Telegraph he denied the party would be split by a divisive contest, because on key issues including the ECHR, gender, taxes, defence and net zero all Tories shared the same “common sense” views.

Tom Tugendhat joins race to be next Tory leader with hint he would leave ECHR

Tugendhat: Truss demonstrated a recklessness that surprised all of us

07:14 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat said he had been surprised by Liz Truss’s recklessness as he was quizzed about previously backing her.

“I stood against every other leadership contender at the last time and then I was left with the choice of two,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

He added: “Liz demonstrated a recklessness that surprised all of us.”

The contender for the Conservative leadership dodged questions of whether backing Ms Truss and her economic plan showed a lack of judgment on his part.

He said: “What we need to be doing is focusing on the challenges that are facing us in the future. Over the last three, four years – you’re absolutely right. We have failed to deliver. That’s exactly why I’m standing because I think we need to unite this country. We need to rebuild that trust, and we need to deliver.”

Tugendhat confident he can reverse Tories’ disastrous election result as party leader

07:09 , Salma Ouaguira

Tom Tugendhat said he believes he could turn around the Tories’ disastrous election result as party leader and pointed to Labour’s landslide win after a poor result in 2019.

The Tory leadership contender was asked on BBC Breakfast if he believed he could win an election as leader of the Conservative Party in five years’ time: “Yes, it is possible to do that. You’ve got to restore trust. You’ve got to demonstrate delivery and you’ve got to be able to listen to the British people to make sure you understand where the challenges are.

“But you can look at what Keir Starmer achieved, frankly, he went from his worst electoral result to his best in five years.

“We can do the same but we need to be united. We need to regain the trust of the British people and we need to be ready to deliver.”

Suella Braverman heads leadership bid from right of party

07:06 , Barney Davis

The former home secretary is widely expected to launch a bid to lead the party from the right and has warned that the Conservatives must not become “a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks”.

Ms Braverman, who has a track record of controversial opinions, also ran for the Tory leadership two years ago, coming sixth.

First elected as an MP in 2015, seld the Home Office brief under both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, who sacked her from the post over an article accusing the Metropolitan Police of bias in policing protests.

Ms Braverman, a barrister by trade, was previously attorney general for England and Wales under Boris Johnson and has also chaired the Eurosceptic European Research Group.

She has said she would welcome Reform UK’s Nigel Farage into the Conservative Party, saying: “There’s not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.”

Ladbrokes has Ms Braverman at 16/1 to succeed Mr Sunak, while she is 69/1 with Betfair Exchange.

Peter Fortune MP throws his weight behind James Cleverly

05:30 , Barney Davis

The MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill posted on X: “I’ve known James for 15 yrs.

“He has a record of delivery and service for local communities and the country. He was a strong voice in hard times.

“A voice that was firm but never raised. A communicator. A unifier. A leader. I wholeheartedly support his bid for the Leadership.”

The last Tory leadership election

03:00 , Barney Davis

The last Conservative leadership election came following Liz Truss’ resignation in October 2022.

Ms Truss was elected to replace Boris Johnson, but only lasted six weeks in office after he disastrous mini budget sent economic markets into turmoil.

Two candidates put their name forward: Penny Mordaunt and Rishi Sunak.

Ms Mordaunt withdrew from the contest less than two minutes before the deadline for nominations, leaving Mr Sunak the only candidate in the contest and thus, party leader without a ballot of MPs or party members.

Jeremy Hunt rules himself out of standing

02:06 , Barney Davis

Having previously run for leader in 2019 and 2022, Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out of having a third go.

After surviving a scare to cling on to his Godalming and Ash seat at the General Election, the shadow chancellor told GB News the “time has passed” for a further attempt.

Danny Kruger backing Robert Jenrick for leader

01:06 , Barney Davis

Danny Kruger said he was backing Robert Jenrick to unite the Tories.

The co-chair of the New Conservatives, a right-wing grouping of MPs, told The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots: “The challenge we have got is to win back those voters we have lost to Reform, but also hold the centre of the party together and convince those wavering voters in the middle who might have left to the Lib Dems or even Labour that we are actually a responsible and competent party of government.

“And I think Rob manages that. He’s got the competence and the personality and the temperament, also he has got the right policies.”

Tom Tugendhat - most popular candidate - insists he can lead party to victory

Wednesday 24 July 2024 23:55 , Barney Davis

Writing in the Telegraph the shadow security minister said: “I am not just running to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.

“I am running to be the next Conservative prime minister.

“That is what this leadership election is all about: winning. We can’t serve the British people if we don’t win the next general election. We can win it. We must win it. I can lead the party to that victory.”

Tom Tugendhat throws hat in ring for leadership

Wednesday 24 July 2024 23:06 , Barney Davis

Tom Tugendhat indicated he would be prepared to leave the European Convention on Human Rights if it was necessary to restore control over the UK’s borders.

The shadow security minister, seen as a candidate from the moderate wing of the party, insisted the leadership contest would not split the Tories.

“Some people think the Conservative leadership election will be divisive, splitting the party,” he wrote in the Telegraph.

“That’s wrong because actually, there’s a long list of things this election isn’t about. The ECHR. Gender. Tax rates. Defence spending. Net zero.

“These are things that aren’t up for debate in this leadership election. Why not? Because politics is about principles and all Conservatives are guided by our basic principles here.

“We know that if institutions do not serve the British people and make it harder to control our own borders, then we will have to exempt ourselves from them, or leave their jurisdiction. We know what a woman is. We all want lower taxes. We all know national security must come before Treasury spreadsheets. We all know that energy security and household bills come first.”

Most popular Tory candidate to replace Rishi Sunak revealed - poll

Wednesday 24 July 2024 21:59 , Barney Davis

According to polling by Savanta carried out between July 19 and 21, Mr Tugendhat is the most popular potential contender among both the public, at minus three points, and 2024 Conservative voters, at 21 points.

Dame Priti is the least popular, at minus 28 points and seven points respectively, according to the research.

Mr Cleverly is second in the running, Savanta’s findings suggest, at minus nine points with the public and 19 points among 2024 Conservative voters.

Victoria Atkins rules herself out of leadership race

Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:59 , Barney Davis

Shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins, who had been the subject of leadership speculation, ruled herself out in a Telegraph article.

She said: “I am flattered that many people in the House and beyond have asked me to stand but it has never been my intention to run in this contest.

“Until polling day three weeks ago, I had one of the biggest jobs in government, on which I was completely focused. I now want to help the next leader unite, rebuild and renew our party.”

Tom Tugendhat least hated Tory leadership contender, new poll reveals

Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:09 , Barney Davis

Tom Tugendhat has emerged as an early frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest because he has the lowest negative rating with members of the public.

Tom Tugendhat least hated Tory leadership contender, new poll reveals

Seven MPs vying for leadership battle - Report

Wednesday 24 July 2024 19:06 , Barney Davis

Sky News are reporting that at least seven MPs are set to contest for the Tory leadership after their teams collected the paperwork needed to nominate someone to replace Rishi Sunak.

The likely candidates are expected to be James Cleverly, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride and Suella Braverman.

The official nominations do not close until Monday so more candidates are likely to join the race.

Sky are reporting that senior Tory MPs believe Mel Stride and Suella Braverman to be the least likely to win the contest.

Cleverly dismisses Reform UK merger

Wednesday 24 July 2024 10:21 , Jabed Ahmed

James Cleverly has ruled out a merger between the Conservative Party and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK if he becomes the next leader.

“The Conservative Party doesn’t do mergers. The simple truth is that we have got a series of principles, “ Mr Cleverly told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

“We believe in civil liberty. We believe in free enterprise. We believe in efficient but modest size of the state, lower taxes… those are our principles, that is our agenda. What we need to do is expand our base of support.”

Conservative MP says he will nominate Priti Patel

Wednesday 24 July 2024 09:10 , Jabed Ahmed

A Conservative MP said he will nominate Dame Priti Patel to be the next Tory leader.

Sir Alec Shelbrooke said the former home secretary is “respected on all wings of the party”.

He told GB News: “I will be nominating Priti Patel because I think Priti has not just the pragmatic approach to all the issues but she was also there, brought into CCHQ, by Cecil Parkinson in 1997 about how to rebuild the Conservative Party after that defeat.

“You get this pattern in government, that after a long period of time in government, the structure starts to fall down. You think it would do the opposite, but it doesn’t. You’re so busy on governing that the structure falls down. That is task number one.

“Priti has had senior roles and she’s respected on all wings of the party, and I think that’s an important point. And it comes back to we’ve got to have a conservative leader representing the Conservative Party and get away from these different gangs that have formed and have been fighting with each other.”

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly has said he is running to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Tuesday 23 July 2024 20:56 , Barney Davis

In a video posted to social media announcing his candidacy, the former foreign and home secretary said the Conservatives needed 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”.

Watch: Cleverly hints he will launch Tory leadership bid

Tuesday 23 July 2024 19:00 , Jabed Ahmed

Who is running for leadership and what are their odds?

Tuesday 23 July 2024 17:00 , Jabed Ahmed

Braverman tells Tories to reject ‘woke nonsense’ ahead of leadership race

Tuesday 23 July 2024 16:00 , Jabed Ahmed

Suella Braverman said the Tories must reject “divisive identity politics and woke nonsense” in order to win back Reform voters.

Former home secretary Ms Braverman, who is widely expected to launch a bid to lead the party from the right, used a slot guest-hosting a radio programme to argue that “we had quite a centrist Conservative agenda” and that “identity politics got out of control” under Mr Sunak.

“We need to be a party that’s firm and credible on immigration,” she told LBC listeners.

“We need to give some hope to the British people on taxation, robust on security and defence, and a real champion for common-sense British values. None of this divisive identity politics and woke nonsense. It really frustrates me that that has happened on our watch.”

Home Secretary suggests Tories need to be “bats**t crazy” to run for leader

Tuesday 23 July 2024 15:39 , Jabed Ahmed

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the Tory leadership contest is like “a cross between Love Island and the jungle” as she attacked her shadow counterpart James Cleverly.

She told MPs: “The shadow home secretary, I think, has actually spent his entire speech not actually talking about any of the real challenges the country faces, but simply playing to the backbenches of the Conservative Party with a fantasy leadership application speech.

“And what is it about these former home secretaries and former home office ministers? You know, of the last seven home office ministers in cabinet, six of them are apparently running.”

She added: “So, if they are now lining up to do to the Tory Party what they’ve already done to the Home Office and the country, well, frankly, they deserve each other.

“Every one of them championed that policy on Rwanda, that the shadow home secretary, to be fair to him, did notoriously describe as batshit crazy, well, maybe that’s what you need to stand to be the Tory leader right now.”

Ms Cooper went on to say: “We’ve heard today this contest is going to run until November. We’ve got five months of this. We’ve hardly got any Tory MPs here because they’re all off doing their little chats and meetings. It’s like a cross between Love Island and the jungle.”

She added: “Somebody’s had a nervous breakdown and that is probably all of their backbenchers dreading getting a little text saying another candidate is wanting a chat and you can just see it, look at them on there, all of them really saying ‘I’m a Tory MP, get me out of here’.”

Robert Jenrick: Former immigration minister who quit Sunak’s cabinet

Tuesday 23 July 2024 14:00 , Jabed Ahmed

A one-time close ally of Mr Sunak he has also stridently attacked his old friend’s immigration plans in recent months. However, some Tory MPs, on both wings of the party, are wary of his apparent change of heart on the issue.

He was forced to deny he was starting his race when he wrote an opinion piece saying the Conservatives are the “natural home for Reform voters” and that former prime minister Mr Johnson “must always have a place” in the Tories, including in Parliament, should he wish to have one.

Odds: 8/1

Preeti Patel: Former home secretary and Boris Johnson loyalist

Tuesday 23 July 2024 13:00 , Jabed Ahmed

The former home secretary is seen as someone who can unite the right of the party and its more moderate ‘One Nation’ members. She is also popular with grassroots Tories and has avoided alienating other MPs, unlike Suella Braverman.

Under the current rules, the party’s remaining rump of MPs get to decide which of the eventual leadership candidates will make it to the final two. At that stage more than 100,000 local party members then make their choice and crown the winner.

Ms Patel is also a Boris Johnson loyalist, who was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in his resignation honours.

Odds: 13/2

Two top Tories back Tom Tugendhat for party leadership

Tuesday 23 July 2024 11:02 , Jabed Ahmed

Two top Tories back Tom Tugendhat for party leadership

Rishi Sunak to stay on as acting leader until 2 November

Tuesday 23 July 2024 10:35 , Jabed Ahmed

Mr Sunak will stay acting leader until a successor is appointed.

He 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 2, 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.”

Cleverly warns Tories against factional fighting ahead of leadership race

Tuesday 23 July 2024 10:00 , Jabed Ahmed

Cleverly warns Tories against factional fighting ahead of leadership race

Robert Jenrick emerges as frontrunner in new poll

Tuesday 23 July 2024 09:45 , Jabed Ahmed

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.

Conduct Tory leadership bid ‘with civility’, Lord Houchen urges Braverman

Tuesday 23 July 2024 09:30 , Jabed Ahmed

Conduct Tory leadership bid ‘with civility’, Lord Houchen urges Braverman

How does the Tory leadership contest work?

Tuesday 23 July 2024 09:15 , Jabed Ahmed

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.

Who is in the running and what are their odds?

Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:57 , Jabed Ahmed

Mel Stride confirms he is considering Tory leadership bid

Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:46 , Jabed Ahmed

Mel Stride confirms he is considering Tory leadership bid

Cleverly hints he has the backing of enough MPs

Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:35 , Jabed Ahmed

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.”

Cleverly not ruling out running as the next Tory leader

Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:09 , Salma Ouaguira

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.”

New Conservative leader to be named on 2 November, party announces

Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:00 , Salma Ouaguira

The next Conservative leader will be announced on 2 November, the party has said. 

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.”

Suella Braverman rejects suggestions she will defect to Reform UK

Friday 19 July 2024 20:42 , Andy Gregory

Tory leadership hopeful Suella Braverman has rejected suggestions she will likely defect to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK later this year if she loses the contest.

“There’s now so much antagonism towards Suella Braverman among MPs that there is now a generally held view that she will defect,” a senior Tory source told the i newspaper. “If she does, it will be a clear admission that she could not win the leadership and does not have the support of any MPs in the party.”

But a spokesperson for the ex-home secretary denied the claim, telling the outlet: “Suella has only recently been elected as a Conservative MP and has been a Conservative Party member for three decades.”

However, a Reform source was quoted as saying: “We expect her to take a tilt at the Tory leadership and then come over to us, perhaps in the autumn around conference time.

“She’ll fit in well.”

Thursday 18 July 2024 07:20 , Andy Gregory

A Tory MP received a round of applause after hitting out at his own party, saying they deserved to lose the general election.

George Freeman, who was a senior minister in Rishi Sunak’s government, slammed the Tories and accused his team of “taking voters for granted”, during a passionate Question Time speech.

Watch: Sunak jokes about how he became prime minister and lost election

Thursday 18 July 2024 05:02 , Andy Gregory

Tory peer calls for change in party’s ‘absurd’ leadership rules

Thursday 18 July 2024 02:20 , Andy Gregory

Tory peer Daniel Hannan has called for a change in the party’s “absurd” leadership rules, warning that “the next Conservative leader will struggle to keep the job”.

In a piece for the ConservativeHome website, he wrote: “I say that, not as a comment on the next leader, but as a comment on our absurd leadership rules. To win, a candidate need only come second in the MPs’ ballot. But to remain in office, he or she needs more than half of MPs’ votes.

“We are the only party in the democratic world that, instead of building in some incumbency protection, makes it harder to hold the job than to win it in the first place.

Warning that “the rules are needlessly polarising” and that “we can’t keep putting this off”, he continued: “We can’t change the rules in the run-up to a leadership contest. But we need to change them afterward.

“The new leader should appoint a committee, bringing together figures from the 1922 and the Party Board, perhaps chaired by a former leader, to devise a better system. To forestall any temptation to game things in favour of a particular candidate, any changes should come into force only with a delay – say, from 2030. That will allow the authors to focus disinterestedly on finding the best system.

“How much more evidence do we need? What the devil are we waiting for?”