Tue Sep 10 16:07:56 UTC 2024: ## Tory Leadership Race: Stride Out, Jenrick Still in Front
Mel Stride, former Work and Pensions Secretary, has been eliminated from the Tory leadership race, leaving Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat still vying for the top spot.
Jenrick, known for his hardline right-wing views, maintained his lead with 33 votes from MPs in the latest ballot. Badenoch, previously considered a frontrunner, came in second. Tugendhat, seen as a moderate alongside Stride, secured 21 votes, as did Cleverly.
The race now moves to a final stage where MPs continue voting until only two candidates remain. The ultimate decision will then be made by party members. The remaining contenders will present their platforms at the Tory conference at the end of the month.
Stride’s departure comes after he tabled a motion to force a vote on Labour’s plan to scrap the universal Winter Fuel Payment.
A victory for Jenrick would represent a further shift to the right for the Conservative Party. He is a staunch supporter of stricter immigration policies and has been critical of the Rwandan asylum scheme for not being far enough. Badenoch, on the other hand, has been described as a “culture warrior” and recently clashed with former Doctor Who actor David Tennant.
The next few weeks will be crucial as the remaining candidates fight for the support of Conservative MPs and ultimately, the party membership.
First Piper 