The fact that the Tory leadership contest remains completely open at the third ballot says everything about the state of it. A mass of Tory MPs may have concluded that they’ve had enough of Boris Johnson, but they are yet to work out what they want in his place. “It’s a pretty rubbish selection,” remarked one former minister before Monday’s vote.
No candidate is yet to achieve the 120 votes that secures a place in the final two voted on by the membership – though Rishi Sunak is close, on 115. As for whom he is likely to face in the final round, there is everything to play for.
