The next leader of the Conservative Party will either be Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick as members get to have their say.

With James Cleverly falling in the final round of MP votes the Party membership will get to have their say in an online ballot.

After the three week ballot the new leader will then be announced on November 2.

Cleverly had led the MPs votes on October 8 but as they say 24 hours is a long time in politics and that proved the case as Badenoch with 42 and Jenrick with 41 beat the former Home Secretary, who dropped to 37 votes.

Taking to X Cleverly wrote: “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received on this campaign from colleagues, party members and the public.

“Sadly it wasn’t to be.

“We are all Conservatives, and it’s important the Conservative Party unites to take on this catastrophic Labour government.”

The Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Kemi Badenoch represents North West Essex after the Saffron Walden seat was changed under the new 2024 boundaries.

A supporter of Brexit Badenoch is seen to be on the right of the party but described herself as being on the ‘liberal wing’.

Under PM Rishi Sunak she was Minister for Women and Equalities along with Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

Robert Jenrick has been the MP for Newark since 2014 and most recently served as Minister of State for Immigration under the current leader Rishi Sunak before resigning after disagreeing with the Rwanda asylum plan.

Previously he was Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government under Boris Johnston and Minister of State for Health under Liz Truss.

Voting to remain in the Brexit Referendum, Jenrick supported the call to trigger Article 50 calling attempts to stop the initiation ‘undemocratic’.

Six candidates stood following Sunak’s announcement following the 2024 General Election defeat.

Priti Patel was the first candidate to fall on September 4 with Mel Stride falling in the second round of voting on September 10.

On October 8 Tom Tugendhat fell in the third round and on October 9 James Cleverly was the final candidate to fall to the MP’s vote.

The Tory Party membership will now vote using an online system until October 31 with Badenoch or Jenrick being announced as the new leader on November 2.