The contest has been on a knife-edge with candidates vying for the support of just 120 other MPs.
Tom Tugendhat loses latest round of Tory leadership contest (Image: PA)
James Cleverly dramatically surged into the lead in the Tory leadership contest after rival Tom Tugendhat was kicked out of the race.
The shadow home secretary added 18 supporters to his tally in the latest round of voting, leapfrogging ahead of previous favourite Robert Jenrick.
Mr Jenrick dropped two votes to land on 31 while Kemi Badenoch increased her support by two, taking her to 30. Mr Tugendhat secured 20 MPs, down one.
Mr Cleverly said: “I’m grateful to all my colleagues for their support today, and I’m pleased to be through to the next round.
“The job’s not finished. I’m excited to keep spreading our positive Conservative message.”
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A spokesman for Ms Badenoch’s campaign said: “There are three candidates left in this contest, two are gaining votes and one is going backwards and losing support.
“The right of the Conservative Party now needs to coalesce around Kemi, who can reach across and unify the party, has the star quality to cut through in opposition, and is indisputably the members’ choice for leader.”
A source in Mr Jenrick’s campaign said: “‘Robert is now in prime position to make the final two.
“MPs want seriousness and competence. That’s why he’s won support from across the party so far – from Danny Kruger on the right to Vicky Atkins on the left.”
Bookmakers now put Mr Cleverly as the favourite ahead of Mr Jenrick, who has been leading for most of the contest.
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Just hours before the latest round, Paul Holmes quit as a Tory whip in order to publicly support Mr Cleverly.
In an article for Conservative Home, he wrote: “I know that he is ready to act now, and ready to hit the ground running from day one.
“He is someone that can bring together a team from all wings of our party, a team that will focus relentlessly on delivery.”
MPs will vote again on Wednesday and the final two will then go to a ballot of Tory members.
Mr Cleverly, who was equal third with Mr Tugendhat in the last round of voting, became the bookmakers’ favourite after a well received conference speech where he urged the party to be “more normal” and “sell Conservatism with a smile”.
Mr Cleverly and Mr Jenrick have complained that the drawn-out process will not conclude in time for a new Conservative leader to respond to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget, which she will present on October 30.
