Some in SW1 were surprised by today’s leadership race result as Cleverly gained 18 votes and Jenrick lost 2. Kemi gained 2 votes. There’s just one vote between Kemi and Jenrick currently…
Team Kemi immediately came out with a feisty response hitting out at Jenrick and appealing to the right of the party:
“There are three candidates left in this contest, two are gaining votes and one is going backwards and losing support. The right of the Conservative Party now needs to coalesce around Kemi, who can reach across and unify the party, has the star quality to cut through in opposition, and is indisputably the members’ choice for leader.”
A Jenrick campaign source tried to spin the result as a win:
“Robert is now in prime position to make the final two. MPs want seriousness and competence. That’s why he’s won support from across the party so far – from Danny Kruger on the right to Vicky Atkins on the left.”
Meanwhile a ‘rival camp’ goes knives out on Badenoch:
“MPs have a choice between a serious and competent leader or, on a weekly basis, having to defend attacks on Doctor Who, and madcap ideas like lowering maternity pay, the end of free care with the NHS and how the minimum wage is too high. The party can’t afford more years of this.”
Cleverly posted a measured response on X:
“I’m grateful to all my colleagues for their support today, and I’m pleased to be through to the next round. The job’s not finished. I’m excited to keep spreading our positive Conservative message.”
Meanwhile Guido hears Cleverly supporters are hoping for a head-to-head between him and Jenrick, as they fear Kemi is more popular amongst Tory members. The expectation from Tugendhat’s campaign is that his MP backers will scatter among the remaining three with no official direction to any other candidate. With Kemi and Jenrick appealing to the right, Cleverly’s team will be hitting the phones persuade them to join him. A campaign source tells Guido “RJ v JC final here we come”…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”