Robert Jenrick becomes the third confirmed Tory leader candidate claiming he already has 10 MP backers needed to stand – as jockeying gears up with Tom Tugendhat wooing the Right and Priti Patel, Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman among SEVEN readying bids

Robert Jenrick became the third confirmed Tory leadership candidate today claiming he already has the 10 MP backers needed to make the ballot.

The ex-Cabinet minister is set to hand his nominations to the powerful 1922 Committee this morning, insisting he can win back voters from Reform and make the party ‘competent’ again. 

The announcement comes after Tom Tugendhat, regarded as a One Nation Tory, entered the fray with a pitch to the Right – insisting he would be prepared to leave the ECHR.

Former home sectetary James Cleverly has also publicly declared he wants to succeed Rishi Sunak.

Altogether seven Tories are thought to be making runs, including Kemi Badenoch and Priti Patel.

Nominations opened last night, and contenders now having until Tuesday to gather support from at least 10 MPs to appear on the initial ballot.

Rival camps have heaping pressure on Ms Badenoch, warning that the apparent frontrunner must show she has backing from dozens of her colleagues to maintain momentum.

Mel Stride and Suella Braverman are the other Conservatives who have requested nomination forms to fill out.

Victoria Atkins had been touted for a run, but has now confirmed she will not seek the top job. However, it is unclear that all seven others will be able to meet the threshold, given there are now only 121 Tory MPs.

The Parliamentary party is expected to whittle the field to four candidates next week, with the Conservative conference in September being used as a ‘beauty parade’.

A final two candidates will be put to a vote of party members with the winner taking over from Rishi Sunak on November 2.

Mr Jenrick’s campaign manager, fellow Tory MP Danny Kruger, said: ‘To have any path back to government we must win back those voters we have lost – across the board but particularly to Reform. At the same time we have to bring our party together, united behind one set of coherent Conservative principles.

‘The British people need to be convinced that we are the most responsible and competent party of government for us to have any chance of winning in 2029, especially when we know Labour are set to fail on so many important issues for our country.

‘Rob Jenrick will do that. He has the energy, temperament and policy agenda to take on our rivals and lead us back to power in five years.’

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Mr Tugendhat suggested that he would be willing to leave the ECHR if it could not be reformed – echoing Mr Sunak’s position.

‘This is about making sure the institutions we are part of work for the British people,’ he said.

Mr Tugendhat denied he was just trying to prop up his support on the Right with the threat.

‘No, I’ve been very, very clear I am prepared to make any decision that will keep the British people safe,’ he told GB News.

‘I am prepared to leave the ECHR, or indeed any other institution that doesn’t serve the interests of the British people.’

The MP refused to accept that the next election was a foregone conclusion, after Labour’s massive landslide.

‘Yes, it is possible to do that. You’ve got to restore trust. You’ve got to demonstrate delivery and you’ve got to be able to listen to the British people to make sure you understand where the challenges are,’ he said.

‘But you can look at what Keir Starmer achieved, frankly, he went from his worst electoral result to his best in five years.

‘We can do the same but we need to be united. We need to regain the trust of the British people and we need to be ready to deliver.’

The extended timetable for the contest has been causing concern in Tory circles, with complaints that Mr Sunak is already ‘California Dreaming’ after a low-key PMQs performance.

The Opposition leader seemed to take a deliberately low-key approach during his first weekly clash with Keir Starmer yesterday.

Instead of attacking the premier over Labour infighting on the two-child benefit cap or fears of looming tax rises, Mr Sunak focused his questions on the need to support Ukraine.

Conservatives pointed out that Mr Sunak has three months left, and is likely to find himself responding to a crucial Budget from Chancellor Rachel Reeves – although the date is not yet confirmed.