James Cleverly has overtaken Robert Jenrick in the race to become the next Tory leader, a survey of party members suggests. The former home secretary, who was lagging behind, has stormed ahead to second place in members’ first preferences just days before the next round of voting.

His closest rival is Kemi Badenoch, who comes in second on 15 per cent, followed by Robert Jenrick on 13 per cent and Tom Tugendhat on 9 per cent. Mr Cleverly is also the preferred candidate among the wider public, with 11 per cent supporting him to become the next Conservative leader compared to 9 per cent for Ms Badenoch.

James Cleverly's message of lower taxes and economic growth resonates with hardworking people, argues PCC Alison Hernandez.

James Cleverly has overtaken Robert Jenrick for the first time in polling of Tory grassroots. A Conservative Home survey of activists conducted over the two days after the party conference last week in Birmingham showed Mr Cleverly leapfrogging Mr Jenrick.

With the Tory leadership race down to the final four, Beth’s been at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham to watch the ‘beauty parade’ for herself, while Ruth and Harriet predict who will make it to the final two.

James Cleverly has gained fresh momentum in the race to be the next Conservative leader after a widely acclaimed party conference speech. The former Home Secretary, previously seen as an outsider in the leadership election, received rapturous applause from activists as he set out an optimistic vision for the future of the Tories.

Cleverly’s strong speech to last week’s Tory conference in Birmingham has blown the fight to succeed Rishi Sunak wide open, as the party’s 121 MPs prepare to whittle down four candidates to a shortlist of two.