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The end of the year will see a big question mark hanging over which political figure made the biggest mistake – Humza Yousaf or James Cleverly. Both were eyeing the top spot, but it seems they may have blown their chances due to overconfidence or incompetence.

Yousaf’s decision to break the pact with the Greens and sack co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater cost him the support needed to survive a no-confidence vote. On the other hand, Cleverly, who was expected to make it to the final two in the Conservative leadership race, was unexpectedly eliminated in the last round of voting.

The battle now seems to be between the right-wing candidates Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch. Cleverly’s supporters are rumored to have switched their votes to Jenrick to secure an easier match-up in the final selection process.

The Conservative Party is now faced with a choice between moving further to the right or maintaining a broader One Nation Conservatism stance. The upcoming leadership race will determine the party’s direction and potentially mark a shift towards a more reactionary ideology.

Jenrick and Badenoch have both outlined their platforms, with Jenrick advocating for leaving the European Court of Human Rights and implementing stricter immigration policies. Badenoch, on the other hand, has been vocal about her opposition to transgender rights and her plans to amend the Equality Act.

The new leader will have a tough road ahead, with the Conservatives reduced to 121 MPs and facing five years in opposition. Rebuilding trust with voters and appealing to a broader electorate will be crucial for the party’s future success.

Ultimately, the outcome of the Conservative leadership race will have significant implications for the party’s direction and its ability to challenge the current government. The choice between a more right-wing or centrist approach will shape the party’s identity and its prospects in future elections.