Three Candidates Remain in UK Tory Leadership Race

The Conservative Party leadership contest in the UK is intensifying as former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat has been eliminated, leaving three contenders: James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Kemi Badenoch. Cleverly topped the recent ballot with 39 votes, followed by Jenrick with 31 and Badenoch with 30. Cleverly's recent rise in support among party members is attributed to his strong performance at the Conservative conference, while Jenrick's hardline stance on immigration has garnered mixed reactions. The remaining candidates will face another vote, with the final two set to be decided by Wednesday, ahead of a member vote culminating on November 2. The contest follows a severe electoral setback for the Conservatives, who lost over 200 seats in July, highlighting the significance of this leadership decision in shaping the party's future direction.