Conservative Party Leadership Contest Ends November 2

Rishi Sunak will remain as the UK’s interim Opposition Leader until November 2, as the Conservative Party undergoes a three-month leadership contest. Sunak, who announced his resignation on July 5 following a severe electoral defeat, will oversee the party through this transitional period. The leadership race, managed by the influential 1922 Committee, involves a multi-phase process with nominations opening on Wednesday and the final candidate being elected in November. This extended timeline is a compromise within the party, with some members advocating for a swift resolution and others favoring a prolonged process to ensure thorough debate and reflection on the party’s future. Key contenders for the leadership include Kemi Badenoch, Priti Patel, Suella Braverman, and James Cleverly. The process aims to allow the Conservative Party to regroup and present a united front as the official opposition to Labour.