Tom Tugendhat announces his candidacy for Conservative party leadership

Tom Tugendhat’s announcement of his candidacy for the leadership of the Conservative Party marks a significant moment in British politics. As a Member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling, Tugendhat has gained recognition not only for his parliamentary contributions but also for his military background and foreign affairs expertise. His candidacy reflects a broader shift within the Conservative Party as it seeks to redefine its identity following years of political turbulence, including Brexit and subsequent leadership challenges.

Tugendhat's campaign is underscored by a commitment to restoring public trust in government institutions, an essential endeavor in an era marked by political disillusionment. He emphasizes the need for integrity and transparency in leadership, appealing to voters who are increasingly skeptical of traditional political narratives. By positioning himself as a candidate who prioritizes ethical governance, Tugendhat aims to differentiate himself from rivals who may be perceived as entrenched in the status quo.

Mr Tugendhat claimed the Tories were more interested in infighting rather than addressing voters' concerns.

He wrote in the Telegraph: “Some people think the Conservative leadership election will be divisive, splitting the party. That’s wrong because actually, there’s a long list of things this election isn’t about: the ECHR. Gender. Tax rates. Defence spending. Net zero."

The former army officer, who joins ex-home secretary James Cleverly in the race, said: “The British people rightly wanted more control over their lives, streets, borders and much more. But instead of delivering on our promises we focused on fighting amongst ourselves.

According to Savanta, the former security minister has a net rating of -3 with the wider public and +28 with 2024 Tory voters.

It comes in stark contrast to former home secretary Priti Patel who has scored -28 net rating with the public and +7 with Conservative voters

The numbers will then be further narrowed to a remaining two and party members will get the final pick, with voting closing on 2 November.

Former health secretary Victoria Atkins has ruled herself out of the race, saying she would support the next leader to “rebuild and renew” the party.

Potential candidates yet to announce include former home secretaries Suella Braverman and Dame Priti Patel, shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch and former Home Office minister Robert Jenrick.

After that, MPs will narrow down the list to two candidates who will be put to a vote by the membership. In the last two leadership contests, Boris Johnson beat Jeremy Hunt and Liz Truss beat Rishi Sunak, who later became prime minister without a full contest. He is planning to stay on as interim leader until the result is announced on 2 November.

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Sarah H

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