Runners and riders…
By Sophia Sleigh, Political Correspondent
THE battle to be the next Tory Party leader started long before Rishi Sunak resigned.
Some jostling candidates have secretly been wooing backers for weeks.
Now we know who has survived the bloodbath, we can guess who is in with the best chance of becoming Leader of the Opposition.
With big beasts Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps knocked out, there are six obvious candidates.
Other more junior MPs might consider throwing their hat in the ring when the starting gun is fired.
Kemi Badenoch, former Business Secretary
Darling of the right-wing Kemi Badenoch is a hit with the Tory grass roots.
She previously left the door open to running as leader, saying: “We will talk about leadership…
