James Cleverly (Image: Getty)
James Cleverly said "sadly it wasn't to be" after his shock elimination from the Tory leadership race.
The shadow home secretary had been the favourite to make the final two after topping yesterday's ballot.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
157 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
230 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
160 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
209 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
40 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
184 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
49 Comments
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick offer best chance of Tory revival
39 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's lead slashed in Tory leadership race as surprise rival closes gap
41 Comments
Why Kemi Badenoch is the one to watch in nail-bitingly close Tory leadership race
1 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory leadership stitch-up tomorrow that will block right-winger
779 Comments
James Cleverly's leadership exit and the Tory Party's abject stupidity
164 Comments
Nigel Farage lashes out as he breaks silence on Tory leadership contest
310 Comments
Tories threaten to bin ballot papers after James Cleverly's shock leadership exit
283 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
61 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
532 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
67 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
157 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
230 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
160 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
209 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
40 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
184 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
49 Comments
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick offer best chance of Tory revival
39 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's lead slashed in Tory leadership race as surprise rival closes gap
41 Comments
Why Kemi Badenoch is the one to watch in nail-bitingly close Tory leadership race
1 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory leadership stitch-up tomorrow that will block right-winger
779 Comments
James Cleverly's leadership exit and the Tory Party's abject stupidity
164 Comments
Nigel Farage lashes out as he breaks silence on Tory leadership contest
310 Comments
Tories threaten to bin ballot papers after James Cleverly's shock leadership exit
283 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
61 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
532 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
67 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
157 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
230 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
160 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
209 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
40 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
184 Comments
But Mr Cleverly lost two votes in today's ballot with Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick going through.
In a post on X, he said: "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."
Don't miss... Last minute surge in support puts Kemi Badenoch on Tory leadership ballot paper [LATEST]
Get the latest politics news straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
In a video, Mr Cleverly added that being knocked out of the contest was "massively disappointing” but that the level of support shown to his campaign “lifted my spirits”.
He said: “So I want to say a huge thank you to you all, I could not have done this without you all. Makes me proud to be a Conservative.”
Ms Badenoch, the shadow housing secretary, won 42 votes and ex-immigration minister Mr Jenrick 41 votes, to Mr Cleverly's 37 votes in the latest ballot, with 120 Tory MPs having taken part.
The final round of the contest will now see Conservative Party members across the UK vote to select the successor to Rishi Sunak.
The result will be announced on November 2.
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.
— James Cleverly???????????? (@JamesCleverly) October 9, 2024
Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick both paid tribute to Mr Cleverly, who gained momentum following his Tory conference speech, following his exit from the race.
Mr Jenrick said: "What a campaign James Cleverly. You fought brilliantly and had a great conference. The Conservative Party needs you in its top team in the years ahead."
Ms Badenoch added: "Commiserations to my friend, James Cleverly. He ran a campaign full of energy, ideas and optimism. James has shown great leadership at many levels including holding two of the great offices of state.
"He has dedicated himself to the Conservative party and I look forward to continuing to work with him."
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are both seen as candidates favoured by the right of the Conservative Party, while Mr Cleverly was thought of as a more centrist Tory.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
157 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
230 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
160 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
209 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
40 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
184 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
49 Comments
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick offer best chance of Tory revival
39 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's lead slashed in Tory leadership race as surprise rival closes gap
41 Comments
Why Kemi Badenoch is the one to watch in nail-bitingly close Tory leadership race
1 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory leadership stitch-up tomorrow that will block right-winger
779 Comments
James Cleverly's leadership exit and the Tory Party's abject stupidity
164 Comments
Nigel Farage lashes out as he breaks silence on Tory leadership contest
310 Comments
Tories threaten to bin ballot papers after James Cleverly's shock leadership exit
283 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
61 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
532 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
67 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
157 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
230 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
160 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
209 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
40 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
184 Comments
Tories rewrite party rules to make it more difficult for MPs to axe new leader
49 Comments
Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick offer best chance of Tory revival
39 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's lead slashed in Tory leadership race as surprise rival closes gap
41 Comments
Why Kemi Badenoch is the one to watch in nail-bitingly close Tory leadership race
1 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory leadership stitch-up tomorrow that will block right-winger
779 Comments
James Cleverly's leadership exit and the Tory Party's abject stupidity
164 Comments
Nigel Farage lashes out as he breaks silence on Tory leadership contest
310 Comments
Tories threaten to bin ballot papers after James Cleverly's shock leadership exit
283 Comments
James Cleverly wins major endorsement ahead of crucial Tory leadership vote
72 Comments
Bookies have worked out winner of Tory leadership contest - it'll come as a huge surprise
61 Comments
Alastair Campbell issues smug 4-word verdict after James Cleverly's shock elimination
532 Comments
Why Nigel Farage could be rubbing hands with glee despite James Clevery lossing Tory race
67 Comments
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest
453 Comments
Nigel Farage gives verdict on Tory leader as he sets out 'real reason' for shock result
157 Comments
Nigel Farage predicts Tory 'establishment' will try anything to stop one candidate winning
166 Comments
Tory leadership poll shock as Robert Jenrick set to be beaten by rival
230 Comments
Keir Starmer's first 100 days have been appalling - but Tories could still LOSE in 2029
160 Comments
Robert Jenrick launches new attacks on Kemi Badenoch - but it risks Tory split
209 Comments
Boris Johnson 'lurking in shadows' as Tories fear another leadership contest in 18 months
40 Comments
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - and everyone said the same thing
184 Comments
The latest result has upset many predictions in Westminster and beyond, as Mr Cleverly was seen as the bookmakers' favourite to win the contest after Tuesday's round of voting.
Allies of Mr Cleverly suggested there was at no point any co-ordinated vote lending from their campaign to other candidates.
Such a move could be used to ensure a more threatening leadership rival were eliminated.