Priti Patel becomes fifth to declare Tory leadership bid

Dame Priti Patel said she would unite the Conservatives and get them ‘match fit’ for the next election if picked as party leader.

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel speaking at an event on policing at the Policy Exchange in Westminster, central London, on Jan. 24, 2024. Lucy North/PA Wire

Dame Priti Patel has said she will stand to be Tory party leader, making her the fifth Conservative MP to throw her hat in the ring.

She joins Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, and Robert Jenrick in the race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader.