Kemi Badenoch’s grip on the Tory leadership contest has loosened after an opinion poll put Robert Jenrick just four-points behind in a head-to-head match-up.
The former Immigration Minister’s boost comes after being 18-points behind the Shadow Housing Secretary just six weeks ago.
YouGov put Badenoch on 52 per cent, while 48 per cent backed Jenrick’s bid.
The pair emerged as frontrunners in the first two ballots held by Tory MPs, with Jenrick receiving 33 votes and Badenoch claiming 28 supporters.
GB News’ political editor will grill Jenrick and Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly in the ICC later today after being joined by Badenoch and Shadow Security Minister Tom Tugendhat yesterday.
YouGov’s poll had Jenrick beating Cleverly by a 52 per cent to 48 per cent score, with Badenoch opening up a slightly larger eight-point lead over her fellow Essex MP.
Tugendhat fared the worst in the final round poll, losing to both frontrunners by 16-points.
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Tugendhat warns UK more dangerous after Labour wobble on defence spending
Tom TugendhatGetty
Shadow Security Minister Tom Tugendhat has pledged to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP as he issued a warning about Labour’s threat to the UK.
The Tory leadership hopeful slammed Sir Keir Starmer’s Government for making a 2.5 per cent spend of GDP on defence an “ambition” rather than a promise.
He said: “Like tens of thousands of soldiers I served proudly in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“In Basrah and Helmand I saw the consequences of Labour’s utter failure to provide the kit that is needed. Soldiers going into battle without body armour, Land Rovers meant for Belfast being destroyed on the streets of Baghdad and helicopters unavailable to supply reinforcements or to get casualties to hospital.
“Labour simply cannot be trusted with the defence of our nation.
“Keeping our nation and the British people safe is the number one priority of any government.
“The threats the United Kingdom and our allies are facing are numerous and growing, so we must ensure our Armed Forces have the funding and equipment they need.
“This is exactly what I will do as the next Conservative Prime Minister.
“I will always make sure our Armed Forces have the funding and resources they need.
“Not only because I have seen first hand the consequences of failing to deliver the kit our forces need first hand, but because I will never gamble with our defence and security.”