About our Conservative Party Leadership news
Latest news on Conservative Party leadership race, providing comprehensive coverage of candidates, polls, debates, policy platforms and key developments in contest to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader.
The 2024 Conservative Party leadership election, triggered by Rishi Sunak's resignation following the party's devastating defeat in the July general election, has entered a critical phase. Six candidates are vying to become the next leader of the opposition: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel, Mel Stride and Tom Tugendhat. The contest will determine who leads the Conservatives as they seek to rebuild after their worst electoral performance in modern history.
Recent polling by Opinium shows Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly as the current frontrunners among Conservative members, with 34% and 15% support respectively. However, the race remains fluid as candidates participate in televised debates and set out their policy platforms on key issues like the economy, immigration and public services. A series of MP ballots will whittle the field down to two finalists by early October, before party members vote to select the winner.
The leadership contest has sparked intense debate about the future direction of the Conservative Party. Candidates like Badenoch and Jenrick are pitching themselves to the right of the party, calling for tax cuts and a tougher stance on immigration. In contrast, Cleverly and Tugendhat are positioning themselves as more moderate, centrist options focused on uniting the party. The election has also highlighted divides between different factions and interest groups within the Conservative movement.
This leadership race comes at a pivotal moment for the Conservatives, as they grapple with their role in opposition for the first time since 2010. The party faces major challenges in reconnecting with voters, particularly in former strongholds in southern England and the "Red Wall" seats in the north that were lost in July's election. Whoever emerges as leader will need to chart a path to making the Tories electorally competitive again.
Our NewsNow feed provides comprehensive, up-to-the-minute coverage of the Conservative leadership contest from a wide range of reliable sources. Whether you're a party member, political observer or simply interested in this pivotal moment in British politics, our curated feed keeps you informed of all the latest developments, analysis and commentary as the race to become the next Conservative leader unfolds.