Who is backing Badenoch’s and Jenrick’s Tory leadership campaigns?
- Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are competing in the final stages of the Conservative leadership race in the UK, both claiming wide support.
- Badenoch's campaign features support from right-wing figures and centrist supporters, while Jenrick emphasizes his centrist backing despite fewer endorsements.
- Both candidates face challenges in extending their appeal within a divided party as they emphasize their financial backing and ideological values.
In the final stages of the Conservative leadership race in the UK, Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are emphasizing their cross-party support despite being seen as part of the populist right wing. Both candidates received backing from about a third of the Conservative MPs during the penultimate voting. Badenoch's campaign is supported by key right-wing figures, notably Michael Gove, and she claims a diverse range of parliamentary supporters despite criticisms. In contrast, Jenrick’s campaign draws from a mix of centrist supporters, but he appears to have fewer than Badenoch. Badenoch has been characterized by a bold, reform-oriented approach, evident in her controversial pamphlet concerning bureaucratic influences. Her notable backers include former MP Lee Rowley and a number of centrist Conservatives. Meanwhile, Jenrick aims to demonstrate a wider reach within the party, despite his strong ideological stance on certain issues. While both candidates face scrutiny, they are adamant about their viability as leaders capable of catering to a broad Conservative base. The financial backing each candidate has received also plays a considerable role in their campaigns, with Jenrick raising over £350,000, largely from established companies and wealthy individuals. Badenoch also has significant financial support but her campaign emphasizes ideological values. The dynamic of this leadership contest showcases the challenges both candidates face as they seek to extend their appeal and unify a fragmented party.