Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch were locked in a bitter battle to stay in the Tory leadership race last night following a late surge by James Cleverly.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat was knocked out yesterday as Conservative MPs voted to narrow the field to three candidates.
And just one vote separated Mrs Badenoch and Mr Jenrick ahead of today’s crunch ballot, which will leave two contenders.
Mr Cleverly topped the poll after impressing activists at last week’s Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
The former home secretary’s votes almost doubled from 21 to 39 – one short of the total needed to secure a spot in the final two.
Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are locked in a battle to stay in the Conservative leadership race ahead of another elimination today
Just one vote separated Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick in Tuesday’s vote
Frontrunner James Cleverly topped the poll, almost doubling his support from 21 to 39 MPs
Mr Cleverly was the main beneficiary of a third round of votes by Tory MPs this afternoon, announced by 1922 committee chair Bob Blackman
Tory insiders have predicted he will pick up the majority of Mr Tugendhat’s 20 supporters when MPs vote again this afternoon.
Mr Cleverly – who last night attended the launch of Boris Johnson’s book Unleashed in London with his wife Susannah – paid tribute to his ‘close friend’ Mr Jenrick, saying that he would ‘have a big role to play in our party’s future’.
But allies rejected claims Mr Cleverly could now lend support to him to avoid a showdown with Mrs Badenoch, who polls suggest is popular among Tory activists.
One said: ‘We’re clear – MPs need to vote for the candidate they want to win, and we think that should be James. That’s what we’re saying to MPs. Absolutely no games.’
The Conservative membership favours Mrs Badenoch over Mr Jenrick and Mr Cleverly, according to polling, but the gap has narrowed since the Tory conference.
Mrs Badenoch’s vote nudged up by two to 30, while Mr Jenrick lost two votes, dropping to 31. Despite the loss of momentum, Mr Jenrick’s campaign insisted he was in ‘prime position’ to make the final two.
The former immigration minister has adopted a hardline stance on immigration, with a pledge to leave the European Convention on Human Rights – a move opposed by some Tory moderates. But a campaign spokesman said he was attracting support from other moderates such as former health secretary Victoria Atkins and MPs on the Right.
One of Mr Jenrick’s MP supporters took a swipe at Mrs Badenoch, saying: ‘MPs have a choice between a serious and competent leader or, on a weekly basis, having to defend attacks on Doctor Who, and madcap ideas like lowering maternity pay, the end of free care with the NHS and how the minimum wage is too high.’
In a boost for Mr Jenrick, Theresa May’s former chief of staff Nick Timothy last night came out in his support.
Leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat was the latest to be eliminated in Tuesday’s ballot
Mr Jenrick’s campaign was given a boost after winning the backing of Theresa May’s former chief of staff Nick Timothy
Having backed Mr Tugendhat until he was knocked out yesterday, Mr Timothy said the only remaining candidate offering ‘unsparing analysis of why we lost and what we must do next’ was Mr Jenrick.
However, Mrs Badenoch’s supporters said falling support for Mr Jenrick among MPs showed he could not win. A campaign spokesman said: ‘There are three candidates left in this contest, two are gaining votes and one is going backwards.
‘The Right of the party needs to coalesce around Kemi, who has the star quality to cut through in opposition and is indisputably the members’ choice for leader.’
After today’s vote, Tory party members will vote on the final two candidates, with the result due to be announced on November 2.
