Priti Patel Joins Tory Leadership Race, Advocates Unity Over Division Amid Party Challenges

Priti Patel has joined the Conservative leadership contest, emphasizing the need to prioritize unity over personal grievances. She attributed the party's unprecedented loss on July 4 not to the dedicated party members, but to the politicians whose disputes led to a lack of support.

News correspondent @nickolester

Sunday, July 28, 2024, 6:

Ex-home secretary Dame Priti Patel has stated that "it is time to prioritize unity over personal grudges" as she announced her candidacy for the leadership of the Conservative party.

Joining the growing list of candidates aiming to succeed Rishi Sunak, the prominent Conservative MP attributed their unprecedented loss on July 4th not to the "heroic" party members, but to the politicians who "had disagreements and let us down."

Dame Priti has become the fifth individual, and the first female, to officially enter the contest for the leadership position, following the announcements from Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, and Robert Jenrick.

In her declaration on X, Dame Priti stated: "I am entering the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

"I am capable of guiding our party in opposition, bringing unity, and preparing us robustly for the upcoming election with a combination of unity, experience, and strength."

Amid the chaos and intense internal disputes that plagued the Conservatives in power, she emphasized her capability and toughness to bring the party together.

In discussing the recent electoral setback which left the Conservatives with only 121 MPs in Westminster, Dame Priti emphasized that the party must avoid becoming embroiled in a "soap opera of finger-pointing and self-indulgence." She stressed the importance of focusing on the objective of securing victory in the upcoming election, rather than dwelling on past failures.

Further Developments on the Right

Mel Stride is the fourth Conservative MP to join the leadership contest

Robert Jenrick has joined the race for the leadership of the

Conservative Party candidate Tom Tugendhat expressed his willingness to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.

She emphasized that traditional conservative principles like protecting liberty, encouraging business, ensuring public safety, and expanding opportunities continue to resonate with voters.

It was the "skilled, mature, and seasoned politicians" who implemented these strategies that could assist the Conservatives in reclaiming authority.

In an effort to stand out from her competitors, Dame Priti announced that under her guidance, party members would benefit from their dedication through increased influence over policy decisions and the party’s trajectory. This includes participating in the selection of the Tory chairman, a role presently designated by the leader.

Dame Priti stated, "It's not our valiant members at fault, but rather the politicians' diversion from their duties to the public."

It is time to transform our conservative principles into robust measures that will drive beneficial transformations for citizens nationwide.

"The moment has come to prioritize harmony over personal grudges, the nation above factional affiliations, and effective action over individual gain."

"Throughout my over three decades of dedication to our party, serving in both roles of governance and resistance, I have consistently demonstrated this. I am capable of preparing us effectively to secure a victory in the upcoming general election."

For further reading:

Tom Tugendhat enters the contest to succeed Sunak

James Cleverly initiates Conservative leadership battle

Robert Jenrick announces his candidacy

Mel Stride is the fourth Conservative MP to join the race

Kemi Badenoch, the shadow communities secretary and the top choice among bookmakers to follow Mr. Sunak, along with ex-home secretary Suella Braverman, are anticipated to declare their candidacies prior to the nomination deadline at 2:30 PM on Monday.

Candidates must secure the support of a proposer, a seconder, and eight additional endorsers to qualify for the race

Stay informed about the most recent developments in the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

The party members in parliament will reduce the candidate pool to four. These finalists will present their arguments at the Conservative Party conference, scheduled from September 29 to October 2.

The last pair selected by the parliamentary group will be put to a vote among party members through an online ballot concluding on October 31, with the outcome revealed on November 2.

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A recent survey by Savanta, conducted from July 19 to 21, indicates that Mr. Tugendhat leads as the favored candidate, scoring minus three points with the general public and 21 points among prospective Conservative voters for 2024.

According to the study, Dame Priti had the lowest approval ratings, scoring minus 28 points and seven points respectively.

According to Savanta's research, Mr. Cleverly ranks second, holding a negative nine points with the general public and negative 19 points among prospective Conservative voters for 2024.

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