Mr. Tugendhat cited his experience as former security minister and a member of the armed forces as he launched his bid.
He told GB News he has a “track record of delivery” and said that he would be willing to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if necessary, denying that this shift was motivated by political opportunism.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage used his maiden speech in the House of Commons to call for a referendum on ECHR membership.
“No, I’ve been very, very clear I am prepared to make any decision that will keep the British people safe,” Mr. Tugendhat said.
“I am prepared to leave the ECHR, or indeed any other institution that doesn’t serve the interests of the British people.”
Ex-immigration minister, Mr. Jenrick’s campaign team said he has gathered enough support to run and that he would submit his nomination on Thursday morning.
His campaign manager Danny Kruger said: “To have any path back to government we must win back those voters we have lost, across the board but particularly to Reform. At the same time we have to bring our party together, united behind one set of coherent Conservative principles.”
He said Mr. Jenrick has the “energy, temperament, and policy agenda to take on our rivals and lead us back to power in five years.”
Mr. Tugendhat, who is viewed as a moderate within the party, insisted there was little to separate him from his rivals on the right on key issues.
Launching his bid by writing in The Telegraph, he denied the party would be split by the contest, because on key issues including the ECHR, gender, taxes, defence, and net zero all Tories shared the same “common sense” views.
Mr. Jenrick has also argued for the UK to leave the ECHR, as has former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, the current bookies’ favourite, has previously said leaving the ECHR is “definitely something that needs to be on the table.”
Ms. Braverman and Ms. Badenoch are both expected to put themselves forward, as are former Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride and ex-Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel.
Mr. Cleverly, the current shadow home secretary, was the first to declare his intention to run on Tuesday evening.
What Do the Polls Say?
According to polling by Savanta carried out between July 19 and 21, Mr. Tugendhat is the most popular potential contender among both the public, at minus three points, and 2024 Conservative voters, at 21 points.Polling indicates Dame Priti is the least popular, at minus 28 points and seven points respectively.
Mr. Cleverly is second in the running at minus nine points with the public and 19 points among Conservative voters.
Nominations close at 2:30 p.m. on Monday with contenders needing a proposer, seconder, and eight other backers to stand.
Once all candidates have been nominated, the parliamentary party will slim down the field to four, who will each make their case at the party conference, which runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 in Birmingham.
Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, said he was determined that the leadership debate be “respectful and thorough” and warned against the contest descending into “personal attacks.”
Mr. Sunak, who will remain acting leader until his successor is in place, has said a “smooth and orderly transition” is in the “national interest.”
