Jenrick and Badenoch face off in final two of Tory leadership contest – Conservative leadership vote live updates

James Cleverly has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race.

Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are now to face a vote of the party membership.

Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister and favourite of the One Nation caucus of Tory MPs, was knocked out on Tuesday after being backed by just 20 votes.

Tory MPs have entered the committee room ahead of the final results announcement.

Tensions are high as the decision on which of the remaining three rivals is knocked out is the closest ballot yet.

Keir Starmer’s first 100 days in office have been marred by unforced errors – but his new chief of staff has kickstarted a radical overhaul of the Downing Street operation, says John Rentoul:

It’s a bustling day in Westminste, with the return of PMQs this afternoon and the Tory leadership race set to narrow down to two contenders in a matter of minutes.

• At PMQs Sir Keir Starmer did not rule out the possibility of a national insurance tax increase for business or changes to debt rules in the upcoming budget.

• Tory leader Rishi Sunak reiterated his commitment not to raise national insurance, VAT, or income tax for “working people”.

• The prime minister also kept the door open for a youth mobility scheme with the EU.

• As for the Conservative leadership race, the party is currently counting MPs votes to determine who will advance to the final round.

• James Cleverly is currently leading the pack and is widely anticipated to secure his place, while Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are vying for the second position.

Voting has now closed in the final round of Conservative MPs casting their ballots in the Tory leadership contest.

The result will be announced at 3.30pm.

Addressing the House of Commons, Angela Rayner said Labour was prioritising its Renters Rights Bill as it criticised the previous Conservative government for delaying their own planned reforms.

The housing secretary said: “I hope the entire house will agree that everyone should live in a decent, safe and affordable home. Everyone should, but not everyone can.

“This is why I have put decency at heart of my plans for housing and taken the steps to ensure that all homes are warm and safe, and nowhere is that more needed than in the private rented sector.”

Ms Rayner added: “The Conservatives promised to pass a renters’ reform Bill in the 2019 manifesto. Yet in a desperate attempt to placate their backbenchers, they caved into vested interests, leaving tenants at the continued mercy of unfair section 21 eviction notices.

“They dithered, delayed and made excuse after excuse for their inaction.”

She said since 2019 more than 100,000 households have been subject to a no-fault eviction, with 26,000 being in the last year alone.

“That is the inheritance that we need to fix,” she added.

The Conservative succession race has been turned on its head, and look who is smiling now, says John Rentoul:

Following the fiery PMQs grilling, deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner has taken the floor to introduce the highly anticipated Renters’ Rights Bill.

A significant component of the legislation is the ban on Section 21 “no fault” evictions, a move aimed at bolstering tenant security in a challenging housing market.

However, as the bill makes its way through the Commons, charities are raising alarms about potential loopholes.

Despite Labour’s pledge to cap the upfront costs landlords can impose on renters, concerns remain that tenants may still face hefty financial demands.