What's happened
Following a dismal general election result, Rishi Sunak has resigned as the leader of the Conservative Party, triggering a leadership contest. Kemi Badenoch has emerged as a favorite to succeed him, while Steve Baker, who lost his seat to Labour, has also hinted at leadership ambitions. The Conservative Party faces significant challenges, including a potential Labour landslide, as acknowledged by senior Tories like Mel Stride and Suella Braverman. Meanwhile, Labour candidate Jovan Owusu-Nepaul has spoken out about the intimidation and racism he faced during his campaign in Clacton, where Nigel Farage won the seat.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to BBC News, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul faced significant intimidation and racism during his campaign, which he described as a 'toxic atmosphere.' The Scotsman highlights Kemi Badenoch as the current favorite to succeed Rishi Sunak, noting her strong support among Conservative MPs. The Mirror reports on Steve Baker's defeat and his subsequent comments about being 'glad' to no longer be an MP, while also hinting at his leadership ambitions. Sky News provides additional context on the leadership contest, mentioning other potential candidates like Suella Braverman and the speculation surrounding Nigel Farage's future role in the Conservative Party.
How we got here
Rishi Sunak's resignation follows a poor general election result for the Conservative Party, which has been struggling with internal divisions and declining public support. The party's challenges have been compounded by the rise of Labour, which is poised for a potential landslide victory. The leadership contest to replace Sunak has seen several prominent figures emerge as potential candidates, including Kemi Badenoch and Steve Baker. Meanwhile, the experiences of candidates like Jovan Owusu-Nepaul underscore the ongoing issues of racism and intimidation in political campaigns, highlighting the need for greater inclusivity and safety in the electoral process.
Go deeper
- Who are the main contenders for the Tory leadership?
- What challenges does the Conservative Party face after Sunak's resignation?
- How did Jovan Owusu-Nepaul's campaign experience impact the election?
Common question
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Rishi Sunak is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2022.
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The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists.
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The Conservative Party, officially the Conservative and Unionist Party, and also known colloquially as the Tories, Tory Party, or simply the Conservatives, is a political party in the United Kingdom.
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Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
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Melvyn John Stride is a British politician who served as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council from 23 May to 24 July 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament for Central Devon since 2010.
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Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson Hon FRIBA is a British politician, writer, and former journalist serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2019.
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Patrick Bosco McFadden is a British politician who has been Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South East since 2005. A member of the Labour Party, he was briefly Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2010 and Shadow Ministe