Priti Patel has officially withdrawn from the race for the Conservative Party leadership after securing the least number of votes from her peers, totaling just 14 out of 121. The candidates who remain in the contest, ranked by their respective votes, are Robert Jenrick with 28, Kemi Badenoch with 22, James Cleverly with 21, Tom Tugendhat with 17, and Mel Stride with 16. The next voting session is set for Tuesday, where the remaining candidates will present themselves at the Conservative conference, leading up to the final selection of the leader by the parliamentary party and ultimately by the Conservative membership on November 3rd.

Priti Patel's failure in the voting reflects both her unpopular stance on decentralizing power from MPs to party activists and her mixed history within the Conservative Party. While her extensive ministerial experience could be seen as an asset, it has frequently placed her at odds with party leaders, resulting in her dismissal or exclusion from key roles under three different prime ministers. Notable incidents include her unauthorized meetings during a supposed holiday in Israel and allegations of bullying when serving as home secretary, which tarnished her image among colleagues.

Robert Jenrick, currently the frontrunner, has gained significant support but must navigate the complexities of tactical voting in the early rounds, which may not accurately represent his overall standing. His closest rivals, Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly, are in a tight race but lack a definitive lead. Meanwhile, Tom Tugendhat and Mel Stride find themselves struggling to distinguish their candidacies.

Among the remaining candidates, Cleverly can take comfort in his strong showing, signaling potential for advancement to a senior position within the party. Stride, despite his lower profile, hopes to establish himself as a representative of the Sunak-Hunt faction and could vie for the shadow chancellorship, showcasing his qualifications from previous roles.

If Kemi Badenoch fails to reach the final two, it could unleash significant frustration among the party's membership, as they felt deprived of a chance to vote for another rising star, Penny Mordaunt, during the previous leadership selection. Badenoch is still seen as a potential winner, especially if matched against Jenrick, who advocates for a hardline approach on immigration.

As the leadership contest progresses, it is anticipated that Stride may soon leave the race. The expectation remains for a direct contest between Jenrick and Badenoch, marking a decisive moment in the party's direction, characterized by a shift toward more radical right-wing policies. The next few weeks will be critical as the candidates seek to minimize rivalry and ensure party unity moving forward. Winning the leadership in the current political climate presents its own challenges, and navigating the path to success by 2028 or 2029 may prove to be quite difficult.