Priti Patel Enters Tory Leadership Race Advocating for Party Unity

Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel has officially entered the race for the Conservative Party leadership, calling for unity over personal grievances. As the fifth candidate and the first woman to announce her candidacy, she criticized the party's recent electoral defeat on July 4, attributing the loss not to the party members but to politicians who failed to maintain focus on public service. Patel joins a growing list of contenders, including Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, and Robert Jenrick. In her campaign announcement, Patel emphasized her ability to lead the party in opposition and prepare it for the next general election. She highlighted the importance of "authentic" conservative values, such as defending freedom and promoting enterprise, which she believes resonate with the public. Patel also promised to give party members a greater voice in policy-making, including the election of the Tory chairman, a role currently appointed by the party leader. Patel's remarks come amid a competitive leadership race, with candidates needing a proposer, seconder, and eight additional backers to qualify. The final two candidates, selected by the parliamentary party, will face a vote from party members in an online ballot, closing on October 31, with results announced on November 2. Recent polling by Savanta indicates that Tom Tugendhat is currently the most favored candidate among the public and Conservative voters, while Patel ranks as the least popular. This backdrop sets the stage for a contentious leadership battle as the party seeks to regain its footing ahead of the next election.