The Latest Breaking News from Mel Stride

In today’s newsletter: As MPs return to Westminster this week, the field of six candidates will be whittled down – but it’s still all to play for

Shadow minister will launch leadership campaign with call to think afresh and move on from landslide election defeat

Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly officially launch their Tory leadership campaigns with a warning that they need to change their own party

Badenoch and Jenrick are the bookies’ favourites but the party’s reduced ranks make the numbers extremely tight

None of the candidates may seem like a good option, but some pose a greater danger to net zero than others

The six contenders are touting branded goods alongside policy, while organisers are just trying to make the crowning of the new leader as conflict-free as possible

The Conservatives would be better able to stand one another if the party could work out what it actually stands for

Conservative MPs will narrow down the number of candidates to just two before the contest goes to a vote among Tory members to decide a winner by November 2

The prime minister has been warned the double hit will lead to disaster for many pensioners

The Conservative leadership contest is something of a sideshow to the meaningful politics of government. Whoever wins will inherit a depleted party reeling from arguably its worst ever election defeat. It comprises only 121 MPs, many now in marginal seats (77 are defending majorities where just a 5% swing would…

Conservative MPs will narrow down the number of candidates to just two before the contest goes to a vote among Tory members