Two Conservative MPs who backed Priti Patel in the first round of the Conservative leadership contest are now supporting James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary.
Greg Smith and Sir Alec Shelbrooke have both publicly endorsed Cleverly ahead of the second round of voting on Tuesday afternoon.
Patel, a former home home secretary, became the first Conservative MP to be eliminated from the contest last week, after she secured just 14 votes from a possible 121 MPs.
Cleverly surpassed expectations to secure the support of 21 MPs, only one short of shadow levelling up secretary Kemi Badenoch in second place.
The support of Smith and Sir Alec will be used as evidence that Cleverly has momentum ahead of the final round of voting before Conservative Party conference begins later this month.
In a statement published on social media, Sir Alec said Cleverly has the “skills and experience needed to win back the voters that we lost in 2024 and the ability to communicate a positive Conservative vision for our country”.
Meanwhile, Smith said Cleverly has “got a clear vision, is best placed to unite the party and get us back to winning”.
The second round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest will take place on Tuesday afternoon, with results expected to be announced at 5pm.
The results from the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership contest were as follows:
- Robert Jenrick – 28
- Kemi Badenoch – 22
- James Cleverly – 21
- Tom Tugendhat – 17
- Mel Stride – 16
- Priti Patel – 14
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