James Cleverly’s ‘likability’ boosts runoff chances in Tory leadership race

The shadow home secretary's allies say his charm and lack of political enemies could win him cross-party support

Allies of James Cleverly believe his likability factor" will now hand him a serious chance of reaching the final runoff to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, as MPs prepare to eliminate another candidate from the contest this week.

The next vote of MPs will take place on Tuesday to whittle the field down to the four contenders who will have the chance to make their case at the party's conference this autumn. The race is seen by most as being wide open after a close result in the first round last week.