Tory leadership contender James Cleverly wins crucial endorsement (Image: Getty)
James Cleverly’s campaign to become Tory leader was given a major boost after former rival Mel Stride endorsed his bid.
The shadow work and pensions secretary won 16 votes in the last round, which would put Mr Cleverly within touching distance of the final round if his supporters all followed suit.
Robert Jenrick, who has been the frontrunner for most of the race, is expected to secure a slew of senior endorsements ahead of today’s (TUES) vote.
Tom Tugendhat and Kemi Badenoch’s teams insisted they have widespread support.
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Mr Stride’s endorsement comes after the shadow home secretary was widely viewed as delivering the speech with the biggest impact at the Conservative party’s conference last week.
He said: “We must pick a leader who can hit the ground running, take the fight to Labour and make sure that we are ready to win as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
“We need a leader who both gets the need for the rapid reform of our party machine but who can also reach across the Party and appeal to our broad base.
“Someone who has experience in government, the Party, and is an effective communicator.
“I have come to the conclusion that the person that meets all these requirements is .
“I have sat around the Cabinet table with James and have seen him make the best of a succession of high profile roles – Party Chairman, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary.
“I watched his performance at Conservative Party Conference last week and he was undoubtedly the standout candidate.”
A source close to Mr Cleverly said the campaign was “confident but not complacent” and was working hard to turn his party conference success into votes.
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After today’s vote a final round will be held tomorrow (WED) to whittle down the candidates again so just two are put before the Conservative party’s members.
The winner will be announced on November 2, though most of the candidates want the date brought forward.
Mr Tugendhat, who many expect to be knocked out of the contest today, was endorsed ahead of the vote by former West Midlands mayor Andy Street.
A campaign source insisted the race is “definitely still wide open”.
“Talking to people today, it’s clear there are a lot of people who are still undecided but think Tom is actually the only serious candidate among them – as proven by Andy Street coming out for him,” the insider added.
A spokesman for Ms Badenoch’s campaign insisted a number of polls show she is the candidate that members want on the final ballot paper.
He said: “The ConHome survey confirms Kemi is the party members’ choice.
“The More in Common focus groups show she is the preferred candidate for the voters that left us in July.
“If Tory MPs want a leader who can cut-through in opposition and take the fight to Labour they must vote for Kemi this week – it’s what our members want.”