Robert Jenrick in pole position to be next Tory leader as Priti Patel eliminated in first round of voting

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Dame Priti Patel Next month’s Conservative party conference will then be dominated by the contest, after which MPs will choose who to put into the final two. But it was Mr Jenrick, who last month sparked outrage after he said people shouting “Allahu Akbar” on London streets “should be arrested immediately”, who secured the most votes from Tory MPs. The results saw Mr Jenrick win 28 votes, Ms Badenoch 22, ex-home secretary James Cleverly 21, former security minister Tom Tugendhat 17, ex-cabinet minister Mel Stride 16 and Dame Priti, another former home secretary, 14. Robert Jenrick addressing a leadership rally where he set out his plans for a ‘new Conservative Party’ Responding to her loss in the ballot, Dame Priti paid tribute to Tory members, councillors and association officers she met during her campaign as “the heart and soul of our party”, and insisted the Conservatives must grow their membership and reach a younger voter base.