James Cleverly eliminated in Tory leadership vote as Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick make final two

9 October 2024, 15:36 | Updated: 9 October 2024, 16:57

Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have been named the final two candidates in the Conservative leadership race as James Cleverly faced a shock elimination.

Mr Cleverly received the fewest votes in today’s contest, despite storming into the lead on Tuesday.

Now, the party's members will now choose between Badenoch and Jenrick to decide the leader of the opposition.

The final vote numbers were:

• Kemi Badenoch - 42
• Robert Jenrick - 41
• James Cleverly - 37

These results will undoubtedly come as a shock after James Cleverly shot into the lead in Tuesday's vote.

Conservative Party members now have a few weeks to decide on their preferred candidate, with the leadership results to be announced on November 2.

Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are both seen as candidates favoured by the right of the Conservative Party, while Mr Cleverly was thought of as a more centre-ground Tory.

The latest result has upset many predictions in Westminster and beyond, as Mr Cleverly was seen as the bookmakers' favourite to win the contest after Tuesday's round of voting.

It came after Tom Tugendhat was eliminated in Tuesday's vote.

Ms Badenoch is now the favourite to be named Conservative leader, after recent polling put her ahead of Mr Jenrick amongst the party’s membership.

Taking to X following today's results, Mr Cleverly said: "I’m grateful for the support I’ve received on this campaign from colleagues, party members and the public.

"Sadly it wasn’t to be. We are all Conservatives, and it’s important the Conservative Party unites to take on this catastrophic Labour government."

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Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Badenoch sent her condolences to Mr Cleverly.

She said: "He ran a campaign full of energy, ideas and optimism. James has shown great leadership at many levels including holding two of the great offices of state.

"He has dedicated himself to the Conservative party and I look forward to continuing to work with him. Commiserations to my friend,@JamesCleverly." A spokesperson for her campaign said she is the one to "unite the party."

A spokesman said: “We’re delighted that Kemi has topped the vote. As the members’ choice throughout, she is the best placed to unite the parliamentary party and the Conservative Party membership.

“Kemi is now looking forward to taking her campaign for renewal around the country and making the case for politics with principles.”

Meanwhile, Mr Jenrick said: "What a campaign James Cleverly. You fought brilliantly and had a great conference. The Conservative Party needs you in its top team in the years ahead."

Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves is seemingly unimpressed by the two finalists.

She said: "After months of gaffes, wild unfunded policies and infighting, Tory members now have the unenviable task of choosing between two of the architects of Tory failure.

"Both Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are central figures in 14 years of hapless leadership and decline, and have already proven they've learned nothing from the mistakes that took the Conservative Party to its worst defeat in modern history.

"While the endless bickering continues, Labour is fixing the foundations and sorting out the mess that these two deeply unimpressive figures left behind."