Voting has recently concluded in the Conservative leadership race to replace Rishi Sunak as the new party leader. The winner will be revealed on Saturday morning, following the party members’ ballots closing at 17:00 GMT. Conservative members had to decide between Kemi Badenoch, the former Business Secretary, and Robert Jenrick, the ex-immigration minister, after four other candidates were eliminated in earlier rounds of voting by the party’s MPs.
While Badenoch is considered the front runner, Jenrick believes the competition is tight, emphasizing that they are working hard to secure every vote. Both candidates have expressed concerns about the low voter turnout, with Badenoch mentioning in an interview that she has increased media appearances due to the lower-than-expected participation.
Throughout the campaign, discussions have revolved around important issues like immigration, the economy, and how the Conservative party can regain trust with voters following their significant defeat in the last general election. After being reduced to a historic low of 121 seats in the House of Commons, the party has been focused on rebuilding and reconnecting with the electorate.
Various party members, including Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly, campaigned alongside the final two candidates, Badenoch and Jenrick. Despite Cleverly’s strong performance at the party conference, he was eliminated after the final MPs’ ballot. A survey by ConservativeHome indicated that Badenoch was leading Jenrick by 55% to 31% among Tory members, with 14% undecided.
Jenrick, who resigned from Sunak’s government due to migration policy disagreements, has centered his leadership bid on the need for a legal cap on net migration and the UK’s exit from the European Convention on Human Rights. On the other hand, Badenoch has advocated for a return to core Conservative values, emphasizing the importance of defining the party’s principles before developing policies.
The candidates have also criticized each other’s approaches, with Jenrick accusing Badenoch of lacking detailed policies, while Badenoch has labeled Jenrick’s proposals as unrealistic. The leadership contest has been heated, with both candidates striving to present themselves as the best choice to lead the party forward.
In addition to the policy debates, recent developments like the Southport attack have also influenced the campaign. Both candidates have raised concerns about the incident and called for transparency from the government, police, and prosecutors regarding the handling of the case. The ongoing discussions surrounding public trust in policing and the criminal justice system have added another layer of complexity to the leadership race.
As the candidates prepare for the final announcement, they have disclosed additional campaign donations, with Badenoch receiving £82,500 and Jenrick declaring two donations totaling £30,000. Throughout the campaign period, Jenrick has received a total of £480,000 in donations, while Badenoch has amassed £422,500 in financial support. The financial backing for each candidate highlights the significance of fundraising efforts in modern political campaigns.
