Mel Stride says he is considering entering Tory party leadership race – UK politics live

Good morning, I’m Sammy Gecsoyler and I’ll be taking you through the latest news from Westminster today.

All eyes are on the US this morning after Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 race. However, there is another race closer to home that is starting to heat up – who will take over as the leader of the Conservative party.

Mel Stride, the shadow work and pensions secretary is the latest Tory to throw his hat in the ring. He told Times Radio: “It’s something I’m considering.

“A number of colleagues have approached me and suggested that I might do that.

“We don’t yet of course know what the actual rules of the process will be – and I’ll want to wait to see that before I take a final decision – but it’s certainly a possibility.”

Stride is considered a candidate from the party’s centre. Tom Tugendhat, also from that wing of the party, received the endorsement of two senior Tories on Saturday. Figures from the party’s right including Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are also expected to run.

Stride argued against “ideological labels” when pressed on whether he would seek to prevent a rightward shift in the party, but added: “I want us to have that One Nation tradition”.

After colleague Suella Braverman warned the party risked becoming “centrist cranks”, Stride said: “I don’t think I’d describe myself as that at all.”