THREE hopefuls were left in the race to become leader of the Tories on Tuesday (8) after moderate former foreign secretary James Cleverly took a surprise lead in the contest set to shape the future of Britain's once dominant party.
Cleverly, who was also home secretary during the last Tory government, was in front for the first time after 120 lawmakers voted for their next leader to replace former prime minister Rishi Sunak.
He won 39 votes with right-wing former immigration secretary Robert Jenrick taking 31 and former trade secretary Kemi Badenoch getting 30. Tom Tugendhat, a moderate former security minister, was knocked out.
Cleverly thanked lawmakers for backing him but added on X: "The job's not finished. I'm excited to keep spreading our positive Conservative message."
Tom Tugendhat gestures as he delivers his keynote speech on the final day of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Britain, October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleWith the result due to be announced on Nov. 2, lawmakers will whittle down the pack to two on Wednesday (9) and hand the final vote to Tory members to install a new leader who will be under pressure to retake power at the next election.
The Tories are more hopeful of returning to power in five years time after prime minister Keir Starmer suffered a bumpy start following his landslide election victory in July, with the Labour government under fire over welfare cuts and ministers accepting donations for clothes and concerts.
But they still face an uphill climb to re-establish trust with voters, who even Tories admit whole-heartedly rejected them at the July 4 election.
Tuesday's round of voting handed pole position to Cleverly, boosted by his appearance at last week's Tory conference when members praised his speech in which he called for the party to be more "normal".
The remaining three have all said they would reunite a party, mired in chaos, scandal and deep divisions over Brexit during its last eight years in government, and return to its conservative roots to offer an alternative to Labour at the next national election which must take place before mid-2029.
But they differ over how to tackle immigration, an issue that voters see as increasingly important at a time when public services are stretched.
(Reuters)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)