Meanwhile, Sunak’s camp ignored suggestions that his strong support did not extend beyond the Conservatives.
Now that Rishi Sunak is firmly established as the victorious candidate, the front is drawn for second place in the race to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and British Prime Minister, while the remaining five contenders face their first public clash on Friday.
After winning the Conservative lawmakers’ first second round of voting, Sunak will appear in a TV debate over the weekend with remaining opponents: Trade Minister Penny Mordent, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former Secretary Kemi. Badenoch and Tory backventure Tom Tugendhat.
Indian Attorney General Suella Braverman, who was eliminated from the primary in the second round, supported Truss, increasing her chances of a third-place candidate.
“Leeds is the best person to spark the Brexit opportunity and provide the much-needed tax cuts,” Braverman said in a statement after the second round of voting on Thursday.
Now all eyes to see who will take the second place, Truss or Mordaunt, face-to-face with Sunak must now campaign for a vote among Conservative party members across the UK from late next week.