Priti Patel Drops Out of Tory Leadership Battle, With Robert Jenrick
Leading the Race to Replace Rishi Sunak
Los Angeles/Sept 06, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh
Dame Priti Patel has been eliminated from the Conservative leadership contest to succeed Rishi Sunak, while Robert Jenrick has emerged as the frontrunner.
The first round of MP voting was announced this afternoon, showing the former immigration minister as the preferred choice among Tory MPs to lead the party.
Jenrick secured 28 votes, while Kemi Badenoch, previously seen as the favourite by bookmakers, took second place with 22 votes.
Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly trailed with 21 votes, followed by Shadow Security Minister Tom Tugendhat with 17 votes.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride gathered 16 votes, with Dame Priti Patel exiting the race after receiving only 14 votes.
MPs will vote again next week to narrow the field to four ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham on September 29, where further debates will be held.
The Conservative Parliamentary Party will continue voting until two candidates remain, with the final choice left to grassroots members. The results will be announced on November 2.
Around 30 Tory MPs gathered in a parliamentary room for the announcement of the ballot results.
Badenoch, currently serving as Shadow Communities Secretary, said the first-round results demonstrated strong support for her campaign.
"It’s crucial we address tough issues today, rather than face bigger challenges tomorrow. I’m eager to continue presenting our vision for change with my colleagues and party members across the country," she said.
Tugendhat, who was pleased to advance, commended Dame Priti and expressed respect for his fellow candidates.
"Mel, James, Kemi, and Robert are all great friends and true Conservatives. But only I can deliver the transformation our party and country demand," he remarked.
Cleverly noted that his campaign was gaining momentum and said: "We can unite the party under true Conservative principles, and I’m ready to lead and win the next general election."
A Labour Party spokesperson commented: “So far, none of these candidates seem willing to learn from past mistakes. It’s a stark reflection of the Conservative Party’s current state that these are their top contenders.”
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