The former Home Secretary receives the fewest votes as Conservative MPs narrow down leadership contenders

Dame Priti Patel has been eliminated from the Conservative Party leadership race after receiving only 14 votes in the initial round of voting. The former Home Secretary was competing against five other candidates to replace Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservative Party.

In the first ballot, Robert Jenrick led with 28 votes, closely followed by Kemi Badenoch with 22 votes. James Cleverly received 21 votes, Tom Tugendhat 17, and Mel Stride 16. Patel, despite her significant experience and tenure, fell short of the required support to advance.

A total of 118 votes were cast in the ballot, with three MPs not participating, including Sunak. The next round of voting will occur on Monday, aiming to further narrow the field to four candidates. These candidates will then face a series of hustings during the Conservative Party conference at the end of the month.

The final two contenders will be selected through another vote by MPs, with the Conservative Party membership having the ultimate say in electing their new leader. The announcement of the new leader is expected on 2 November.

In her statement following her exit from the race, Patel expressed gratitude to her supporters and called for party unity. She emphasized the need for the Conservatives to unite around their values to regain public trust and address national challenges.

Kemi Badenoch thanked her supporters and highlighted the need to confront pressing issues immediately rather than postponing solutions. Tom Tugendhat praised Patel and his fellow candidates, vowing to lead with conviction and make a positive impact.

Mel Stride expressed his enthusiasm for progressing to the next round, highlighting his commitment to restoring trust and competence in the party.

The leadership race reflects ongoing dynamics within the Conservative Party, with each candidate presenting their vision for the future while addressing past challenges. The Labour Party has criticized the race, suggesting that none of the candidates offer a departure from the party’s previous failures.

As the contest continues, the focus will shift to how the remaining candidates position themselves and differentiate their policies and leadership styles in the lead-up to the final vote.

THE GUARDIAN

In the first round of voting to determine the next Conservative Party leader, former Home Secretary Priti Patel has been eliminated. The result saw Robert Jenrick emerge as the frontrunner, securing 28 votes from MPs. Jenrick’s support was followed closely by Kemi Badenoch with 22 votes, and James Cleverly with 21 votes.

Patel, despite her high profile and experience, came in last with 14 votes, falling short of the 16 votes garnered by Mel Stride and the 17 by Tom Tugendhat. This unexpected outcome ends Patel’s bid to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader.

Jenrick’s performance was seen as a significant boost for his campaign, with his supporters noting his successful pitch to the party’s right wing, particularly on migration issues. He has impressed Westminster colleagues with his energetic campaign and improved speaking skills. Despite his relatively low public profile, Jenrick is now considered a strong contender for the final round.

Badenoch, known for her right-wing views on identity and culture, is presenting herself as a more centrist alternative to Jenrick, aiming to appeal to a broader spectrum of the party. Her campaign has been buoyed by strong support from Conservative members, though she faces a tough battle to secure a spot in the final two candidates.

Cleverly, who has focused on national security, has outperformed Tugendhat but remains in a competitive position. His campaign is now positioning him as a central figure in the contest.

Patel’s elimination reflects shifting party dynamics, with some MPs feeling it is time for new leadership. Following her defeat, Patel called for unity within the Conservative Party to address national issues. The final candidates will be determined after the Tory conference later this month.

THE TELEGRAPH

Robert Jenrick emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of the Conservative leadership contest, securing 28 votes from Tory MPs. This positions him as the early candidate to beat, though the race remains fluid and unpredictable.

James Cleverly, who received 21 votes, and Kemi Badenoch, with 22 votes, follow closely behind. Cleverly’s third-place finish is particularly surprising given his lack of high-profile endorsements and a campaign that has struggled to generate excitement. Badenoch, despite a strong launch and support from the party’s intellectual elite, did not perform as well as anticipated.

Priti Patel, a prominent figure in the party, was eliminated after receiving only 14 votes, reflecting a shift in party preferences towards newer faces. Her campaign struggled to gain traction, leading to her exit from the race.

The leadership contest is marked by a lack of clear momentum. The MPs’ votes suggest a cautious approach, with many preferring to wait and see rather than coalesce around a single candidate. This implies that the final outcome will depend significantly on behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and strategic endorsements.

The Conservative Party’s protracted and relatively low-profile election process, which extends past key events like the Budget, might be detrimental. The delay risks leaving the party unprepared to effectively challenge Labour or address pressing national issues, further contributing to concerns about its relevance and effectiveness.

Overall, while Jenrick is currently in a strong position, the race remains open, and future developments will likely hinge on strategic shifts and the candidates’ ability to consolidate support.

THE STANDARD

In the initial round of the Conservative leadership contest, Priti Patel was eliminated, failing to secure sufficient votes from Tory MPs. The results were:

• Robert Jenrick: 28 votes
• Kemi Badenoch: 22 votes
• James Cleverly: 21 votes
• Tom Tugendhat: 17 votes
• Mel Stride: 16 votes
• Priti Patel: 14 votes

Patel, a former Home Secretary and prominent figure within the party, was knocked out despite her high profile. The first ballot results leave Jenrick in the lead, followed closely by Badenoch and Cleverly, with Stride and Tugendhat also remaining in the race.

Jenrick’s strong showing reflects his successful campaign focusing on immigration and his positioning as a right-leaning candidate, which has resonated with many MPs. Badenoch’s second-place finish was below expectations, given her strong launch and support from party elites. Cleverly’s unexpected third-place finish, despite his lack of standout campaign issues, suggests he has potential appeal to a broad segment of the party.

The next steps involve another ballot on Tuesday to narrow the field to four candidates. These candidates will then compete in events at the Tory party conference in Birmingham at the end of the month. Following the conference, MPs will vote to select the final two candidates, who will be put to the Conservative Party members for a final decision.

The outcome of this round is crucial, as it sets the stage for the final selection process, where endorsements and strategic moves will play a significant role in determining the next Conservative leader. The final result is expected to be announced on November 2.