6 UK lawmakers are running to lead the Conservative Party after its crushing election defeat
Six British lawmakers have announced they are running to lead the defeated Conservative Party
LONDON (AP) — Six British lawmakers have announced they are running to lead the defeated Conservative Party, ahead of a Monday deadline, in a contest that will decide whether the opposition party tacks to the right or steers toward the political center ground.
Contenders include former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and lawmaker Tom Tugendhat from the party’s centrist grouping. Former Home Secretary Priti Patel and ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch have support from the right of the party.
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and veteran lawmaker Mel Stride also have secured the required support of 10 Conservative lawmakers before the deadline of 2:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. EDT, 1330GMT) on Monday.
Badenoch, who came third in the party’s last leadership election in 2022, was the early favorite with bookmakers. The Nigeria-raised lawmaker used language reminiscent of Conservative icon Margaret Thatcher, saying the party should lead “a renewal for capitalism” built around a smaller state and seek to persuade voters “why conservatism should matter."
