Patel, Braverman among contenders for Tory leadership

London, July 5

The recriminations and jostling for top positions among Britain’s Conservative lawmakers began long before Thursday’s crushing election defeat to Labour.

One veteran Conservative former lawmaker predicted a “bloodbath” as the party set about charting its way back to power.

Several lawmakers are expected to compete to replace Rishi Sunak, the party sources said, with the right wing likely to promote two former interior ministers known for a tough line on immigration – Priti Patel and Suella Braverman – as well as former trade minister Kemi Badenoch, named minister of the year by the website ConservativeHome in 2023 after she took a robust position on trans issues.

The party sources said centrist candidates were also preparing campaigns, with James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat, named as possible contenders. — Reuters