TORY leadership hopeful James Cleverly said today that the party needs to expand its base of support and shake off the impression that it is more focused on infighting than serving the public.

He also ruled out merging with Reform UK when asked about a recent poll suggesting around half of Conservative members were in favour of joining forces with Nigel Farage’s party.

Speaking ahead of nominations opening this evening in the race to replace Rishi Sunak, the former home secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that his party’s recent achievements had been overshadowed by “a number of negatives.”

Former home secretary Suella Braverman is widely expected to launch a bid to lead the party from the right.

Other potential leadership contenders include shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, former home secretary Dame Priti Patel, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.