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THE Tory leadership race blew wide open yesterday as underdog James Cleverly stormed into the lead.

His victory in the third round of voting left the two former frontrunners, Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, scrambling to secure support from the right of the party.

The Tory leadership race blew wide open yesterday as underdog James Cleverly stormed into the lead
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The Tory leadership race blew wide open yesterday as underdog James Cleverly stormed into the leadCredit: Getty
James Cleverley leads the pack, as Tom Tugendhat is eliminated leaving Kemi Badenoch  and Robert Jenrick fighting for his votes
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James Cleverley leads the pack, as Tom Tugendhat is eliminated leaving Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick fighting for his votesCredit: PA

Campaign teams were hitting the phones and meeting colleagues in a bid to hoover up rival Tom Tugendhat’s 20 supporters after he crashed out of the contest.

Mr Cleverly, the Shadow Home Secretary, saw support surge by a staggering 18 votes to 39 after an upbeat speech at last week’s party conference.

Tory members’ favourite Ms Badenoch saw her backing increase by two to 30, despite a series of gaffes at conference on maternity pay and the national minimum wage.

But Mr Jenrick, who has topped both previous rounds, saw his support fall by two votes to 31.

READ MORE ON TORY LEADERSHIP

Mr Cleverly said: “The job’s not finished.

"I’m excited to keep spreading our positive Conservative message.”

A vote to whittle the three names down to two will take place today.

The party membership will then pick a winner, who will be announced on November 2.


Tory leadership results - third round

THE third round results:

Robert Jenrick: 31

James Cleverly: 39

Kemi Badenoch: 30

Tom Tugendhat: 20 Eliminated

How the contest works:
September 4:
 First round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate

September 10: Second round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate

September 29 - October 2: Final four candidates make their pitches at Conservative party conference in Birmingham

October 8: Third round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate

October 9: Fourth round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate. The final two go to a vote of the wider party membership

November 2: New Tory leader announced

Kemi Badenoch says Tories must enforce annual migration cap & hints at axing net zero target in party conference pitch
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