Robert Jenrick’s team successfully convinced five James Cleverly supporters to switch their votes in order to secure Jenrick’s spot in the final two of the Tory leadership race, The Independent can exclusively reveal.
At a critical point in the leadership contest, Jenrick’s team targeted Cleverly supporters who had negative sentiments towards Kemi Badenoch, ultimately leading to Cleverly’s elimination. Initially, Cleverly seemed to have a strong chance of making it to the final round, holding a lead over Jenrick in the penultimate results declaration.
With only one vote setting Jenrick apart from Badenoch and 20 votes to be redistributed from the eliminated candidate Tom Tugendhat, Jenrick’s team knew they needed a strategic move to secure his position. They launched an intense operation led by key supporters, ensuring that wavering votes were redirected towards Jenrick.
The operation included persuading Tugendhat supporters to switch allegiances and specifically targeting Cleverly supporters who harboured animosity towards Badenoch. By zeroing in on this group, Jenrick’s team successfully convinced five to back Jenrick in order to block Badenoch’s advancement.
As the tense afternoon unfolded, with the clock ticking towards the result announcement, both camps were on edge. Cleverly’s team attempted to counter the tactical voting by sending out Mel Stride to dissuade MPs from voting strategically.
Ultimately, the result was revealed with Badenoch securing 42 votes and Cleverly with 37, allowing Jenrick to clinch the final spot in the showdown with the members’ vote. The scene in Jenrick’s office went from initial despair to relief and elation as they realised their successful strategy.
Reflecting on the intense manoeuvring, a supporter shared with The Independent, “We know we got five MPs to swap from James to Robert and that made the difference.” This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the high-stakes world of Tory leadership contests showcases the intricate strategies and alliances at play.
The final face-off between Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch now awaits as Conservative members prepare to cast their decisive votes in the leadership race. Stay tuned for further developments as the race intensifies.