Tories set date for first leadership showdown as candidates call for televised debates

Candidates vying to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader are set for their first set-piece event later this month, as they continue drumming up support for their candidacy.

The Northern Conservatives group announced plans for a leadership husting in Stockton on August 17, where party members will have their first opportunity to question the hopefuls.

Keen to avoid a repeat of the 2022 blue-on-blue attacks, however, the first formal leadership moment outside parliament will not see the candidates on stage together.

The Tories are desperate to avoid candidates publicly slinging mud at each other, as took place during national television debates after Boris Johnson announced his resignation.

The Northern Conservatives have said the husting will likely be the “only opportunity in our region to meet and question the candidates”, with members set to hear from each before they take questions from the floor.

All-but-one of the six candidates have signed up to the debate so far, with Kemi Badenoch's team telling the Express she is unable to attend due to a pre-existing engagement.

One Conservative MP suggested that the husting may in fact be the only organised outing the candidates get before the final four get the opportunity to lobby for support at the forthcoming October party conference.

On Sunday, hopeful Mel Stride challenged his rival candidates to a series of televised debates.

Mr Stride, the former Work and Pensions Secretary, said it is “vital” for members and the public to see the candidates perform.

He added: “The more of these, the better”.

However rules set by the Tory Party at the start of the campaign set out that candidates cannot participate in any debate unless it’s been agreed by the party’s interim chairman Richard Fuller.

Surprise frontrunner Robert Jenrick is also reportedly keen to take part in a debate “anytime, anywhere”.

While Tom Tugendhat’s campaign has said he is “in principle” keen for TV debates, he is waiting to see what the party organise.

Mr Tugendhat is enjoying his moment in the sun this week as his team believe the pressure he put on Sir Keir Starmer over the weekend forced him to u-turn and hold a meeting of COBRA to coordinate a response to the far-right riots.

As part of the effort to prevent blue-on-blue attacks during the leadership contest, 1922 Committee chairman Bob Blackman has set out a new ‘yellow card’ scheme, which will be used to publicly call out any bad behaviour by candidates.

The husting on August 17 will take place at 1pm, with candidates invited to mingle with attendees before and after the event.