‘Abrasive’ Kemi Badenoch urged to play nice to secure Conservative leadership

Supporters offer advice to get the favourite over the line, gambling she can unite the party and restore Tory fortunes

Supporters of Kemi Badenoch have urged her to rein in her confrontational style to clinch the Tory leadership, with some Conservative MPs concluding they need to take a big gamble" to restore their party's fortunes as they replace Rishi Sunak.

The shadow communities secretary emerged from the only scheduled televised debate on GB News last week with most MPs believing she is still the favourite in what remains a close contest with Robert Jenrick. Party members have until the end of the month to cast their vote.