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Tory Leadership Contest Faces Calls for Change Amidst Rivalries
In a dynamic shift within the Conservative Party leadership race, candidates Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat have advocated for an accelerated timeline for the current contest, which has received opposition from fellow candidate Kemi Badenoch.
Reports suggest that senior figures within the party have been discussing the possibility of moving the announcement date forward by one week. Despite this, the party stated that no adjustments to the schedule are currently in place, maintaining the original timeline that extends until November 2.
The timetable raises concerns as it could leave the party without a leader before the crucial budget announcement set for October 30. Under the existing framework, Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister, will be tasked with responding to the opposition’s inquiries on that date before stepping down just three days later.
Moreover, there is apprehension regarding the potential overshadowing of the Tory leadership results by the concluding moments of the upcoming U.S. elections, scheduled for November 7.
Frontrunner Jenrick has expressed urgency in his plea for a shortened contest, emphasizing the need for a new leader to hold Labour accountable during their forthcoming budget. In an article for The Sun, he criticized the Labour government’s commitment to improve the lives of working-class citizens and argued passionately for a quicker transition to new leadership.
“This Labour government seems intent on making things harder for working people at the upcoming budget,” he stated, underlining his desire to be the appointed spokesperson for the Conservative response.
Tom Tugendhat, also backing a shorter leadership contest, commented similarly during an appearance on Times Radio. He acknowledged the need to streamline the process to ensure a timely response to the issues faced by the populace.
In contrast, Kemi Badenoch, who is fiercely competing with Jenrick for the lead position, voiced her belief that the length of the contest is acceptable and does not necessitate adjustment. James Cleverly, another contender in the race, has yet to articulate his stance on this matter.
In recent voting rounds, Jenrick emerged with 33 endorsements from Members of Parliament, followed closely by Badenoch with 28, and both Cleverly and Tugendhat garnering 21. Reports indicate that only 55 out of 121 Conservative MPs have actively declared their support for a candidate according to ConservativeHome.
The candidates are slated to participate in various events throughout the Conservative Party Conference, which will include individual interviews, speeches, and receptions. However, there are no structured debates arranged between the four candidates, leaving their respective platforms and policies to be shared through individual presentations.
Source
www.theguardian.com