What does the future hold for the would-be PMS now out of the hunt?

As the candidates who fell by the wayside pick up the pieces, the contest leaves some winners and losers

The first brutal phase of the Tory leadership contest has wrapped up after MPS whittled the field down to a final two following a fortnight of often ill-tempered campaigning. Penny Mordaunt was knocked out in the final round of voting and has joined more than half a dozen other would-be prime ministers on the sidelines wondering what happens next. But the race has not been bad for everyone who has entered, with some of the lesser known names managing to boost their profiles and impress colleagues with policy-rich platforms. Here is a rundown of the winners and losers from the contest so far.

Penny Mordaunt

The former defence secretary fell at the penultimate hurdle in the race, narrowly losing out on a place in the final two to Liz Truss by eight votes. She was the dark horse of the race, emerging from relative obscurity to top the polls of who Tory members wanted as the party’s next leader. She is now at risk of finding herself out in the cold. Verdict: potential loser.

Kemi Badenoch

The former equalities minister ran on a pro-brexit and anti-woke ticket and picked up lots of supporters on the Right. She made it to the fourth round of voting. Has been billed as the future of the Party and is seen as almost certain to return in a more senior ministerial role. Verdict: winner.

Tom Tugendhat

The former soldier threw his hat into the ring as the candidate from the centrist One Nation wing of the Party despite never holding a ministerial post. He pitched himself as the only contender who hadn’t served in Boris Johnson’s Government and ran on a platform of a clean start for British politics. The chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee is now being tipped for a Cabinet job, possibly foreign secretary. Verdict: winner.

Suella Braverman

The Attorney General stunned the nation when she announced her intention to stand live on TV before Boris Johnson had even stood down. She made it to the second round before being knocked out and has since backed Liz Truss’s campaign and could be due for a return to government. Verdict: to be determined.

Jeremy Hunt

The former health secretary stayed out of Boris Johnson’s Government and repeatedly criticised the Prime Minister from the back benches. He previously ran against Mr Johnson during the 2019 leadership contest. After making the first ballot with at least 20 MP backers he then shed support and crashed out, securing only 18 votes. He is now backing Mr Sunak’s campaign. Verdict: loser.

Nadhim Zahawi

The former education secretary’s campaign was preceded by chaos and, after the briefest of lives, ended in the same state. He now faces a battle to remain in the Cabinet under the next prime minister. Verdict: loser.

Sajid Javid

He came into the race boasting the most Cabinet experience of any of the contenders. He pulled out of the race hours before the nominations closed when it became clear he didn’t have backing of enough MPS. Verdict: loser.

Priti Patel

Wobbled back and forth over whether or not to enter the race, before ultimately deciding not to do so. She has not endorsed any candidates since. Verdict: to be determined.

Ben Wallace

The Defence Secretary consistently came top of polls of who Conservative members wanted as the next PM. Ultimately deciding that it wouldn’t be the right decision for his family, he is now in prime position to keep the job he loves. Verdict: to be determined.

Grant Shapps

The Transport Secretary announced his intention to stand and secured the backing of Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister. He dropped out on the day nominations closed after a struggle to secure 20 backers and endorsed Rishi Sunak’s campaign. He could be set for a return to government under Sunak. Verdict: to be determined.