The Conservative Party leadership contest is heating up with six candidates vying to replace Rishi Sunak. As the voting progresses, Robert Jenrick has emerged as the front-runner in initial rounds, but James Cleverly is anticipated to gain significant support in upcoming votes, particularly from Priti Patel's former backers. Kemi Badenoch is also a strong contender, maintaining a lead in public approval despite trailing behind opposition leader Keir Starmer in head-to-head polling. Meanwhile, Tom Tugendhat is seen as a formidable rival, with both he and Cleverly viewed as the most likely candidates to be seen favorably by the public. The internal dynamics and tactical voting strategies among the candidates are crucial as they navigate the elimination rounds. Overall, the race reflects a divided Conservative Party facing challenges in appealing to the electorate against a popular Labour leader.