Mel Stride says 'reasonable chance' he will stand to become Conservative Party leader

A timetable for the Tory leadership campaign has not yet been decided on but should be revealed soon, with hustings expected at their conference at the end of September.

Alix Culbertson

Political reporter

Monday 22 July 2024 11:20, UK

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Former government minister Mel Stride has said there is a "reasonable chance" he will run to become Conservative Party leader.

The shadow work and pensions secretary said he was considering putting himself forward to replace Rishi Sunak as it was "important for the country that we have a strong Conservative Party".

He told Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley: "We'll have to see, I haven't made any decision.

"We don't know what the process is.

"Colleagues have been talking to me about it, I am considering what I may or may not do."

He added there is a "reasonable chance" he could run and will make a decision "relatively soon".

Mr Stride said if he is a candidate he will not be engaging in "blue on blue" fights to gain support.

The shadow minister, who was work and pensions secretary under Mr Sunak, added the Conservative Party does need to "appeal" to voters it lost to Reform UK.

"As we need to appeal to those we lost to both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats," he said.

Mr Stride said he believes his party can win back the public's support if they "unite as a party...and get the right prospectus together" as well as showing a "steady competence in opposition".

"The first base in all of this is to have a leader that is going to unite the parliamentary party, and if we can unite, then I think we'll be unstoppable," he said.

"Because there is a deep reservoir of talent and ideas, both within the parliamentary party and the broader party, including the membership, upon which we can draw to make sure that we have the right offer to the British people.

"Now, I know that that can be done. It's not going to be easy, but I'm absolutely confident that it can be done."

Providing a glimpse of what he could offer as leader of the Tory party, he said there is a need to get "on top of illegal migration" and lower taxes - which he said are not right-wing ideas but what "the British people care passionately about".

How the leadership campaign will work has not been confirmed yet, however senior Conservative MPs last week appeared to win a battle against party officials who wanted a speedy contest to take place.

It is expected there will be a hustings at the Tory conference, starting on 29 September, followed by voting by MPs and then party members.

Mr Stride said he believes a decision on the process will be made "very soon".

Former home secretary Priti Patel has already said she plans to stand in the race, while Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are almost certainly set to run.

Suella Braverman, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Victoria Atkins are also likely candidates.

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