To cut the field to two candidates, Conservative MPs had a final vote on Wednesday. Conservative members will then cast their votes for the two candidates.
Ms. Badenoch surged back to the top of the poll after trailing in the earlier rounds, garnering 42 votes in the decisive round.
Robert Jenrick, her right-wing competitor, was only one vote behind Ms. Badenoch, but Mr. Cleverly, who was viewed as a potential unifier, received the support of 37 Members of Parliament.
The Conservative Party is moving to the right with the appointment of Mr. Jenrick and Ms. Badenoch.
“Delighted to have got so much support from parliamentary colleagues today,” Mr. Jenrick declared.
Ms. Badenoch claimed that “people have a lot of faith in my approach”—that is, “you start with principles and then policy”—was the reason she had done the best in the final voting round.
It was unexpected that Mr. Cleverly was removed from the race, having performed admirably at the Conservative Party convention and garnered support in the last round of voting.
After trailing in earlier rounds, Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the clear leader.
“Disbelief resounded around the room” when it was revealed that the previous residence was the source of the scandal, according to political writer Alix Culbertson, who was present when the result was presented.
