United Kingdom

Liz Truss is on course to make the last two Tory leaders as she closes in on Penny Mordaunt

However, figures close to the former communities secretary and Michael Gove, the former communities secretary who is her most prominent backer, said no one was expected to announce approval before the final vote.

A source close to Ms Badenoch said “rushing to back people is a fool’s errand”, while an ally of Mr Gove said he would “take some time to decide” who to back.

Individuals from all three campaigns are said to be trying hard to win over Ms Badenoch’s supporters, some of whom have already announced different candidates.

“Unite the Party”

Given that the vote is secret, there has been speculation that Mr. Sunak’s supporters may try to influence who he will face by voting for the perceived weaker of his two rivals.

Sunak’s campaign officials insisted Tuesday night that they are fighting for “every vote” and discourage such behavior, but did not rule out individual MPs making such decisions on their own.

Mrs Truss sets out her final pitch to the party and the country in her op-ed for The Telegraph, issuing a message of “unity” which she hopes can see her over the line.

In an olive stamp to Ms Badenoch’s camp, she wrote: “The quality of candidates who have entered this leadership race reflects how healthy our party is and how alive with ideas it remains. If they elect me as leader, I will not let my colleagues down and I will not let the country down. Now is the time to come together.”

Meanwhile, Ms Mordaunt announced new policies, including a push to solve Britain’s shortage of dentists by allowing more foreign workers to fill the gaps, to expand her vision for the country.

A six-week summer campaign heralds the final two, with the next Tory leader and prime minister to be announced on September 5.