James Cleverly’s surprising elimination from the Conservative leadership race has left Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick as the final contenders. The unexpected turn of events saw audible gasps in the committee room as the results were announced.
Mr. Cleverly, who was initially considered the favorite after receiving the most votes in the first round, was unexpectedly ousted from the competition, with Tom Tugendhat being eliminated earlier. Many believed that Mr. Cleverly would secure a spot in the final round due to the split votes from the right-wing of the party between Ms. Badenoch and Mr. Jenrick.
In the fourth round of voting, Mr. Cleverly received 37 votes, while Ms. Badenoch led with 42 votes and Mr. Jenrick closely followed with 41 votes. Candidates needed a proposer, a seconder, and eight nominations to progress to the ballot, resulting in the field being narrowed down to four.
The upcoming election on November 2 will determine the party leader, with members voting between the final two candidates. Mr. Cleverly’s unexpected elimination came as a shock, especially since he was considered the remaining centrist in the race and had received 39 votes in the previous round.
Despite the assumption that Mr. Cleverly would gain support from Mr. Tugendhat’s backers, he actually lost support in the final round. The unexpected outcome has shifted the spotlight to Ms. Badenoch, who is now the likely favorite to win the leadership position.
Ms. Badenoch, known for her right-wing stance, has already garnered attention for her controversial views on culture and colonial history. She has expressed readiness to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights to restrict asylum seekers, a position also shared by Mr. Jenrick.
In response to his elimination, Mr. Cleverly expressed gratitude for the support received during the campaign and emphasized the importance of Conservative unity in facing the Labour Government. Meanwhile, the Labour Party has criticized both Ms. Badenoch and Mr. Jenrick, labeling them as architects of Tory failure who have not learned from past mistakes.
As the Conservative leadership race narrows down to the final two contenders, the party members face a crucial decision in selecting their next leader. The unexpected turn of events has added a new dimension to the competition, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown between Ms. Badenoch and Mr. Jenrick.