Conservative Party Leadership Race Narrows to Four

The Conservative Party leadership race is down to four candidates: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, and Robert Jenrick, with the winner set to be announced on November 2. This leadership contest follows the party's significant defeat in the general election, and candidates are vying for the Leader of the Opposition role rather than Prime Minister. Recently, the party's conference in Birmingham showed a mix of relief and confusion among members post-defeat, as they grappled with their future direction. Meanwhile, the Conservative membership, crucial in selecting the leader, remains largely inactive and demographically skewed towards older, affluent individuals. The leadership race occurs amid Sue Gray's resignation as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, due to concerns over media scrutiny, with Morgan McSweeney taking over. This political backdrop highlights the internal challenges both major UK parties are currently facing.