Mel Stride knocked out of Tory leadership race – as Robert Jenrick stays in the lead

Politics

Mel Stride has become the latest Tory leadership hopeful to be knocked out of the race to replace Rishi Sunak.

Conservative MPs held their second round of voting on Tuesday as they narrowed down the candidates to lead the party.

And the former work and pensions secretary came in last place with just 16 MPs backing him – seeing Mr Stride removed from the next ballot.

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Ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick came out on top for a second time – having led the pack in the first round of voting – with 33 votes, followed by ex-business secretary Kemi Badenoch with 28.

Both the former home secretary James Cleverly and former security minister Tom Tugendhat received 21 votes each.


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The final four contenders will now head to the Tory conference later this month to hold a hustings and attempt to woo the party faithful.

MPs then have one more vote to cut the field down to two candidates, before the wider membership decides on their winner.

The new leader is then expected to be announced on 2 November.

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