New Tory leader 'must send a clear centre-Right message'

THE new Tory leader must set out a “clear centre-Right message” for the party after years of infighting, a shadow minister said today as nominations to take over from Rishi Sunak were set to close.

- Rachael Burford

Six Conservative MPs have declared a run to become leader of the opposition: Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly.

Shadow transport secretary Helen Whately told LBC that the candidates must lay out how the party would “grow the economy and control borders”.

“It is very important that we reflect on what we heard from voters at the election, who clearly were not happy with us in government, and so our new leader needs to reflect on that but set out their vision for what they would do as the leader of the party,” she said.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman yesterday announced said she would not be running amid speculation that she did not have the support from the parliamentary party.