The Conservative Party is on the hunt for a new leader after their landslide defeat in the 2024 UK elections. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped down following the loss, leaving the door open for a new generation of Conservatives to take the reins. After two rounds of voting by party lawmakers, four candidates remain in the race: Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch, and Tom Tugendhat.
Robert Jenrick: The Frontrunner
Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister, currently sits as the frontrunner. Jenrick secured 33 votes in the second round of voting, solidifying his position as the top contender. A close ally of Sunak, Jenrick is known for his time as immigration minister, though he resigned, stating Sunak’s emergency Rwanda legislation didn’t go far enough.
Jenrick, who began his political career as a centrist, has shifted towards a more right-wing stance. He entered politics in 2014 as the MP for Newark and has been vocal in his criticism of the Conservative Party’s failure to deliver on its immigration promises. He’s also a staunch advocate for withdrawing the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights.
Jenrick’s aggressive stance has garnered support from MPs who were previously loyal to Sunak. While his strong stance on immigration has won him support, his past controversies have raised concerns. In 2020, he was criticized for his decision to grant planning permission for a housing development linked to a Tory donor. The following year, he faced further scrutiny for ordering the removal of murals depicting cartoon characters at a reception center for child asylum seekers.
James Cleverly: The Moderate
James Cleverly, a former home and foreign secretary, received 21 votes in the second round, mirroring his performance in the first round. This suggests his momentum may be stalling. Cleverly, a Conservative MP since 2015, is generally seen as a moderate figure within the party.
Prior to his political career, Cleverly worked in media and digital publishing and even founded his own company. He has been embroiled in a few controversies of his own, including an alleged derogatory remark about Stockton-on-Tees and an apology for joking about spiking his wife’s drink at a Downing Street reception.
Cleverly has stated his desire to unite the Conservatives and urged them to “think and act like Conservatives again.”
Kemi Badenoch: The Rising Star
Kemi Badenoch, a former business secretary, secured 28 votes in the second round, placing her second in the race. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Badenoch returned to the UK at 16 to pursue her studies. She entered Parliament in 2017 as the Tory MP for Saffron Walden.
Before entering politics, Badenoch worked in banking and IT. She has held various ministerial roles under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. This isn’t her first attempt at the Conservative leadership; she ran in 2022 following Boris Johnson’s resignation, finishing in fourth place.
Badenoch’s campaign is centered around a message that the party needs to “stop acting like Labour” to reclaim power.
Tom Tugendhat: The Outsider
Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister, received 21 votes in the second round. Tugendhat, who is considered a centrist, was elected to Parliament in 2015. He previously served as an officer in the Territorial Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Tugendhat has gained support from members of the One Nation group of liberal Conservatives, as have Cleverly. He ran for leadership in 2022 but was defeated by Liz Truss. Tugendhat has attempted to appeal to right-wing MPs by taking a tough stance on immigration. He has pledged to cap net migration at 100,000 per year and has hinted at exiting the European Convention on Human Rights if elected. He is also committed to making the Conservative Party “a serious force again.”
The Conservative MPs will hold a series of ballots throughout October to narrow the field down to two candidates. The final winner will be announced on November 2nd. The outcome of this contest will shape the future of the Conservative Party and its ability to regain the trust of the British electorate.
