Tugendhat Ploughs on in Conservative Leadership Race Despite Losing Votes in 2nd Round

Tom Tugendhat speaking at the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister, at 4 Millbank, London, on July 12, 2022. Yui Mok/PA Media

After barely surviving the second round of field-narrowing votes on Thursday, Conservative Party leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat said he will stay in the race.

Tugendhat secured 32 votes from his colleagues, the fewest among the five remaining candidates, but the former soldier said he had never turned down a challenge because the odds were against him, adding, “I don’t plan to start now.”