Many will view Badenoch as the favorite to winIt was published at 17:31 BST
Chris Mason
Political editor
Amid shock among MPs and conservative activists this afternoon.
Another development in this competition; The fugitive favorite has been expelled for at least the last 24 hours; Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch did not make it to the run-off.
Shorthand political labels of people within a political party are often inadequate in portraying the accuracy of their outlook. But those who consider themselves centrists, or to the left of the conservative sect, find themselves without a standard bearer in the last two stages.
Instead, it’s Jenrick versus Badenoch.
Jenrick has moved to the right since becoming an MP, and his experience in government has changed his instincts on immigration, for example.
Her supporters see Badenoch as a potential star: stubborn about her conservatism and willing to say what others won’t.
But even its supporters acknowledge, as one put it, that it is a “work in progress,” more prone to moments of pep talk as well as incidents of triumph.
For many, she will now be seen as the favorite to win. But again this morning many thought James Cleverley was a surefire race to get into the bottom two.
What is the danger of elections? Now the next season begins, Rishi Sunak’s successor will be announced in three weeks on Saturday.
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