Latest Tory leadership candidate kicked out of race to replace Rishi Sunak (original) (raw)

Mel Stride has become the latest casualty of the Tory leadership race, with Robert Jenrick now the frontrunner after MPs voted in the second elimination round

Mel Stride has been kicked of the race to become Tory leader

Mel Stride has been kicked out of the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader.

The Sunak loyalist, the former Work and Pensions Secretary, picked up just 16 votes from fellow Conservative MPs in the latest round of votes. Hardliner Robert Jenrick is now the frontrunner.

Mr Jenrick got 33 votes, ahead of Kemi Badenoch with 28 and James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat on 21. It is the second elimination round following the Conservative Party's hammering at the General Election.

The four remaining candidates will make their case at the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham later this month. It follows former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel being kicked out the race last week.

Mr Sunak will remain in charge of the beleaguered Tories until November 2, when the winner will be announced. MPs will narrow the field down to two next month, with Conservative members - who previously picked Liz Truss - getting the final say.

Robert Jenrick is now the frontrunner to take over from Rishi Sunak (

Image:

PA Wire)

Mr Sunak announced he was stepping down on July 5 after Labour's General Election win. However he remains leader of the opposition until a successor is found.

A Labour spokesperson said: “The Tories whittled down a list of five people who played key roles in 14 years of chaos and decline, to four people who played key roles in 14 years of chaos and decline.

“Their failure to take responsibility for the mess they made, demonstrates that none of these candidates are cut out for the job. They’ve learnt nothing from their mistakes, and as they continue to fight amongst themselves, Labour is getting on with the job of fixing the terrible inheritance they left behind.”