Kemi Badenoch insisted it is 'time to get down to business' today after being named the new Tory leader.
Ms Badenoch received 53,806 votes to 41,388 for Mr Jenrick - 53 per cent to 47 per cent, closer than many expected. Turnout was only 72.8 per of the 131,000 activists. In an early boost for Ms Badenoch, it has been confirmed that the threshold for triggering a Tory no-confidence vote has been raised from 15 per cent of MPs to 33 per cent.
They will also have to achieve the revival without some of the surviving 'big beasts'. James Cleverly - seen as the favourite for leader until his shock eviction in the final round of voting by MPs last month - has announced he will not take a job in the shadow cabinet. The shadow home secretary said he did not want to be 'boxed back into a narrow band' after being 'liberated' by his own bid for the top job.
Rishi Sunak has moved to quash similar speculation about his own intentions, laughing off claims he is planning to move to California and become a tech executive. 'Our second is no less important. It is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government, to ensure that by the time of the next election, we have not just a clear set of Conservative pledges that appeal to the British people, but a clear plan for how to implement them, a clear plan to change this country by changing the way that government works.'That huge job begins today.
'It's now time for the Conservatives to unite behind Kemi and take the fight to this disastrous Labour Government.' Dame Priti and Mr Stride were the first two contenders to be eliminated in September, leaving four by the time the party gathered in Birmingham for its autumn conference. MPs were blamed for trying to be 'too clever' by engaging in tactical voting to engineer who else was in the final two.
He told the BBC's Westminster Hour in October that 'I think it's disrespectful to the members and the public to ask for their votes without saying where you stand on the big issues facing our country today'. 'Today is my last appearance at PMQs and I'm happy to confirm reports that I will now be spending more time in the greatest place on earth where the scenery is indeed worthy of a movie set, and everyone is a character,' he said.The Conservatives returned MPs in 121 seats at the July poll, down hundreds on their 2019 result, having secured less than 25 per cent of the vote nationally.
'But I also want to pay tribute to everyone in the Conservative Party who has been involved in this very long campaign. It has been an experience none of us candidates will ever forget. Thank you for hosting us in your communities, in your village halls, in your pubs and in your homes. 'I'd also like to pay a special tribute to Robert Jenrick, who has fought a great campaign. Rob, we have all been impressed by your energy and your determination. You and I know that we don't actually disagree on very much. And I have no doubt that you have a key role to play in our party for many years to come. Thank you.