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So far no-one has publicly declared that they\u2019re going to run to replace Mr Sunak, who has said he will carry on as leader as long as the party wants him to.<\/p>\n
Tory MPs are keeping tight-lipped about who they are likely to support. <\/p>\n
But any hope that the contest will unify the party will have been dashed with the very public spat between Mrs Braverman and Mrs Badenoch. <\/p>\n
A shadow Cabinet minister who was present at Tuesday\u2019s meeting where Mrs Badenoch criticised Mr Sunak, said: \u201cWe all know what Kemi is doing.\u201d <\/p>\n
Another said at least one colleague has told her privately that she needs to be \u201cless abrasive\u201d if she wants to win over colleagues.<\/p>\n
Others have been irritated by Mrs Braverman\u2019s actions. <\/p>\n
She wrote an article on the eve of the general election which was highly critical of Mr Sunak. <\/p>\n
A speech earlier this week has also riled some Conservatives including Ben Houchen the mayor of Teesside.<\/p>\n
He told Times Radio: \u201cIf the Conservative party decides to go down the route of somebody like Suella Braverman, then we can absolutely see ourselves in opposition for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
While no timetable has been set out for the leadership contest there seems to be a growing consensus among MPs that a longer process would be better for the party. <\/p>\n
One former Cabinet minister said they\u2019d like the party conference in October to be a chance for members to assess the merits of each candidate. <\/p>\n
Next week, Conservative MPs will vote on which of their colleagues should sit on the party board – the group that will decide the rules for the leadership race.<\/p>\n
Voting for party board membership had taken place on Wednesday but is being re-run after one of the candidates was left off the ballot paper. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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