TOM Tugendhat this evening joined rivals James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick in sealing a spot in the second stage of the Tory leadership race.
The three front-runners to replace Rishi Sunak hit the threshold of 10 MP nominations, with Mr Tugendhat's team confirming they had "signatures to spare".
Former Home Office ministers Mr Tugendhat and Mr Jenrick, and Shadow Home Secretary Mr Cleverly, all insist only they can unite every wing of the fractured Tory party.
Mr Tugendhat and Mr Jenrick have also confirmed they’re prepared to pull Britain out of the ECHR to finally end the small boats crisis.
But the pair will fight from opposite sides of the Conservative divide, with Mr Jenrick seen as right-wing compared to former army officer Mr Tugendhat, who belongs to the moderates.
The Shadow Security Minister told The Sun: “I am delighted that so many of my fellow MPs, from across the Party, have put their faith in me to deliver the change our Party needs.
“The last few years have been difficult for our Party and those difficulties resulted in a devastating election just three weeks ago
“This election is not just about who will lead the Conservative Party, it is about who will be the next Prime Minister.
“Because we can’t serve the British people if we don’t win the next general election and with the support of my fellow MP I can deliver that victory.”
Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who is managing Mr Jenrick’s campaign, insisted on Thursday that the MP for Newark will fight to win over disaffected Reform voters, who view the party as too weak and soft on migration.
But he added: “At the same time we have to bring our party together, united behind one set of coherent Conservative principles.
“The British people need to be convinced that we are the most responsible and competent party of government for us to have any chance of winning in 2029, especially when we know Labour are set to fail on so many important issues for our country.”
Mr Cleverly said: "My nomination form for the leadership election is in.
"Grateful for all the support from colleagues, members and all of you online - thank you!
"I'm looking forward to getting out & about over the next few months, talking to colleagues and meeting our excellent members."
Nominations for the Conservative leadership opened on Wednesday, with contenders having until next Monday to secure enough parliamentary party support to proceed to the next round.
Others set to join the race include shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch and former home secretary Priti Patel.
Over summer Tory MPs will narrow the field down to four, who will then make their case to card-carrying Conservatives at party conference in early October.
The final two candidates, also selected by MPs, will be voted on by members in an online ballot, with the winner crowned on November 2.
