Tory MPs are today preparing to cast their votes in the next round of the party’s leadership contest. The final four will become three, ahead of another ballot tomorrow afternoon to produce the pair who will go to the membership.
It is now four weeks since Mel Stride was knocked out and the big shift in the Tory leadership race is neatly demonstrated by the candidate that Stride has chosen to endorse. James Cleverly won his backing last night, with some MPs believing that he now has the momentum to make it to the final two. Cleverly performed poorly on the last ballot, going backwards to tie with Tom Tugendhat on 21 votes apiece. But since then he has had a good month, with the bookmakers suggesting that he is now the favourite to win.
Cleverly was the only candidate believed to have had a good party conference
On Sunday, a Conservative Home survey found that Cleverly had overtaken
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in