Conservative leadership race 

Rishi Sunak has virtually cemented his place in the final of the Conservative leadership race. The real competition is between Liz Truss and Penny Mordaunt – and the only real question left is who will be joining Rishi Sunak in the final two?

The next round of voting starts on Monday, each voting session will knock out a candidate until there are just two left – who will then pitch their vision for Britain to Tory party members. A new party leader – and therefore PM is expected to be in No 10 by September 5. 

Before the next series of votes take place, there will be three TV debates – a potential make-or-break for the candidates. 

Since the first two rounds, the top three have always stayed the same. Rishi Sunak has come in top of the table, followed by Penny Mordaunt in second and Liz Truss trailing in third. 

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Liz Truss and Penny Mordaunt’s bitter battle

Team Liz Truss has been attacking rival Penny Mordaunt in recent days as the pair battle it out to stay in the race for office. 

Former Brexit Minister and Liz Truss supporter Lord Frost wrote for the Daily Telegraph about his concerns over Penny Mordaunt saying she did not “master detail” and he feels a government led by her will not succeed. 

The un-elected Lord also called on Kemi Badenoch to pull out of the race and throw her support behind Liz Truss “in return for a serious job” in government and to unite the right of the party. 

Ms Mordaunt has had her level of experience questioned by former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith. He suggested the race was “going to get just a little bit personal”, adding: “I really genuinely don’t know what Penny has done in the last two and a half years apart from knowing the odd job title that she’s been in.

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Mordaunt responded to her critics by saying her rivals were trying to stop her as they did “not want to run against me” in the final vote by Tory members. A recent YouGov polling said: “Mordaunt may have a strong lead in the early polling, but the figures are also encouraging for Liz Truss”. However, polling suggests Rishi Sunak will have better chances going up against Liz Truss. 

The second round of voting – that saw Suella Braverman knocked out, saw Liz Truss gain support. Former Brexit minister Steve Baker has backed Liz Truss, and according to the BBC, most of the 27 Tory MPs who voted for Suella Braverman in round two are expected to do the same.

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“We don’t need an accidental prime minister”

As it gets closer to the end, the comments from rival camps are becoming more bitter and personal.

Ms Mordaunt,who had once served under Lord Frost, faced potentially damaging claims from the former Brexit Minister. He went to Talk TV to say she “did not master the detail that was necessary” and complained she had been “absent on parade” during Brexit negotiations with the EU. 

Sir Ian Duncan Smith told LBC: “We can’t just elect somebody because for a short period of time they may look better than others.

“What we’re actually electing is not, in a way, a popularity contest.”

Whilst Julian Knight – another Truss supporter – told BBC 5 live: “We don’t need an accidental prime minister.”

Penny Mordaunt’s comments on trans rights when she was equalities minister have also been criticised by supporters of her opponents. 

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Tory leadership race will continue to get nasty 

Penny Mordaunt’s name is now being splashed over the front pages after snap polling in the hours and days after Boris Johnson resigned had her miles ahead of everyone else. As Mordaunt continues to gather momentum, the comments will continue to get nasty. 

It’s been widely speculated that Liz Truss is Boris Johnson’s favourite to succeed him. Something that could both help or hinder her – those loyal to Boris may want to stick with Truss but those looking for a fresh start, away from the chaos of the Johnson government may look to Mordaunt. 

At present, this race is wide open as to who will be joining Rishi Sunak (presumably) in the final two. Results may show a big gap between Truss and Mordaunt but it’s a gap that could quickly close early next week. 

A YouGov polling of Tory members that was published on Wednesday suggested either Mordaunt or Truss could beat Sunak to become the next prime minister. But Team Rishi insists the former chancellor would still push through. 

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