An MP backer of James Cleverly said a dozen members had told him they intend to throw away their ballot papers.
Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch (Image: Getty)
Centrist Tory members are threatening to “throw their ballot papers in the bin” after James Cleverly’s shock elimination from the leadership contest.
The shadow home secretary, widely seen as the most moderate candidate, was knocked out of the race to succeed Rishi Sunak in the last ballot of MPs.
Right-wing hopefuls Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have made it through to the final two voted on by members.
An MP supporter of Mr Cleverly told the Telegraph: “There is a huge amount of disappointment in the membership at the result of the final ballot.
“This morning I have already had a dozen members telling me they will throw their ballot papers in the bin because they are being denied their say.”
The MP said many members were angry that Mr Cleverly had not been chosen by MPs for the final two after his speech went down best among activists at Tory conference.
They added: “Not only did James have a good conference, what perhaps is more important is that the others did not.
“When the party is trying to attract young people and women to vote for the party again, it seems suicidal to denigrate maternity pay, as Kemi did.
“When the party stands for the rule of law, why talk about special forces carrying out extra-judicial killings, as Robert did?
“They both had bad conferences and showed they were not steady under fire.”
It comes as the Tory Reform Group, which represents One Nation Conservatives, refused to endorse either of the final two candidates.
In a statement, the group said: “TRG members were consulted throughout the process, and the results clearly show that neither candidate has secured widespread support from the majority of our membership.
“Both have used rhetoric and focused on issues, which are far and away from the party at its best, let alone the One Nation values we cherish and uphold.
“Therefore, the board of the TRG has unanimously concluded that we are unable to endorse either candidate.”
A blame game erupted after Mr Cleverly was unexpectedly knocked out of the competition on Wednesday.
His allies denied his supporters had been involved vote lending in a failed bid to engineer a place for himself and a less-threatening rival in the final heat.
