The Conservative Party is currently engaged in a leadership contest sparked by Rishi Sunak's historic electoral defeat, marking the party's most challenging period. Several senior politicians are vying to lead the party over the next five years while navigating the political landscape in opposition to the government.

Among the contenders, Robert Jenrick stands out as the leading candidate, having secured 28 votes in the initial ballot. Following him are Kemi Badenoch with 22 votes and James Cleverly with 21, while other candidates like Tom Tugendhat and Mel Stride trail behind. As the competition progresses, candidates will be gradually eliminated until a final group is presented at the October Tory conference.

James Cleverly was the first to announce his leadership bid, aiming to unify a divided party. With experience as both home and foreign secretary, he advocates for restoring public confidence in the party and is regarded as a more moderate option among the candidates while maintaining a firm stance on migration issues.

Tom Tugendhat has also declared his candidacy, carrying a sense of gravitas from his previous attempts at leadership and cabinet experience. He aims to appeal to both traditional right-wing voters and those who leaned towards the Liberal Democrats in the last elections.

Mel Stride’s entry into the race came as a surprise, with him positioning himself as a unifying candidate who acknowledges the party's loss of public trust. He received 16 votes in the initial ballot and expressed concern over the Conservatives' reputation and alienation from the electorate.

Kemi Badenoch, once a prominent figure in the party, entered the contest by emphasizing the need for a discussion on Conservative values and acknowledging the party's shortcomings over the past decade. Despite her strong performance in the first ballot with 22 votes, her earlier reputation took a hit when she reversed her stance on cutting EU regulations.

Not all candidates will remain in the race; Suella Braverman has opted to drop out after failing to secure necessary support. She previously enjoyed backing from influential right-wing members but ultimately chose to withdraw, claiming the party was not willing to embrace her candid views.

Dame Priti Patel also faced elimination in the initial voting round, garnering only 14 votes. Her campaign focused on increasing party member involvement, yet she was unable to secure sufficient backing to continue her bid for leadership. She emphasized the importance of unity among Conservative members to revitalize the party's image and attract a younger audience.