Monday 18 July 2022 11:39 PM DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Why the Tory Right must come together trends now
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One thing was clear from last night's third ballot in the Tory leadership election. Barring some cataclysmic event, Rishi Sunak will be one of the two names on the final shortlist.
As to who will join him there, nothing is settled. As Rishi's momentum increased, Penny Mordaunt's went into reverse, as she polled fewer votes this time than last.
However, despite grave doubts over her competence and radical views on gender identity, she remains in second place.
Liz Truss narrowed the gap, but will have hoped to do better. She didn't, because the traditionalist Tory vote is dangerously split between her and Kemi Badenoch.
Liz Truss is the obvious choice, given her strong track record, and she is best placed to overtake Miss Mordaunt
Both women benefited evenly from the redistribution of Attorney General Suella Braverman's support, who lost out in the last ballot. If those centre-Right votes had all gone to Miss Truss, she would now be neck and neck with Miss Mordaunt with the wind in her sails.
Instead, it's possible Miss Mordaunt might yet cling on, leaving the membership with two social and economic liberals and no true blue Tory to choose from.
Traditionalist MPs must wise up and coalesce behind one candidate. Miss Truss is the obvious choice, given her strong track record, and she is best placed to overtake Miss Mordaunt.
If the members are denied the option of electing a true low-tax,
