Tory leadership contest: Mark Harper eliminated along with Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom | indy100 | indy100

The results of the first round in the Tory leadership contest have been announced and its bad news for Esther McVey, Andrea Leadsom and Mark Harper.

All three MPs have been eliminated from the race having failed to receive enough votes to proceed to the next round, with McVey scoring the lowest of them all with just nine.

Boris Johnson, the favourite for the role, stormed ahead of the pack, racking up 114 votes, a considerable lead over Jeremy Hunt, who is finished in second place with 43.

Full result of the first Tory leadership ballot. Leadsom, Harper and McVey eliminated. https://t.co/HBHSgqbbvE
— Ian Jones (@Ian Jones) 1560428205

McVey and Leadsom's departures from the contest are something of an upset as they were at least prominent Brexiteers and former cabinet members.

Harper though doesn't have quite the same status in the party, despite also being a former cabinet member and the former chief whip and voting to remain in the European Union.

His entry into the race raised eyebrows as a lot of people had no idea who he was.

— (@)

Mark Harper faces tough questions at leadership bid launch, such as “Who is Mark Harper?”.
— Have I Got News For You (@Have I Got News For You) 1560356463

Needless to say Mark's elimination from the leadership contest will barely even be noticed.

— (@)

Leadsom, McVey and Mark “who he?” Harper knocked out in Round One of Tory Battle Royale. Fraudulent Fatberg tops poll, quelle surprise.
— OH GOD, WHAT NOW? Formerly Remainiacs (@OH GOD, WHAT NOW? Formerly Remainiacs) 1560428572

Goodbye Mark Harper, it was nice knowing you existed
— Monsieur von Kraut (@Monsieur von Kraut) 1560428536

Bad news for women: the next prime minister will not be a woman. Also, bad news for people who nobody has any idea… https://t.co/g2P7IFTRyC
— Alexander Velky (@Alexander Velky) 1560428511

Pour one out for Mark Harper, never to be heard from again
— Rohan (@Rohan) 1560428507

Mark Harper might just regret entering the #Toryleadership contest. No one knew who he was, now we do. https://t.co/n7tpQGbcaO
— Jude 🇪🇺 💙🌹 (@Jude 🇪🇺 💙🌹) 1560281774

On the upside, I suppose I don’t now need to bother finding out who Mark Harper is. https://t.co/pNCBzllunZ
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@Alex von Tunzelmann) 1560429111

At the very least let us enjoy McVey finishing rock bottom - even Mark Harper got more votes and I’m still not 100% sure he exists.
— Scott Innes (@Scott Innes) 1560429073

RIP Mark Harper, "Marper", Big Harp, forever in our hearts
— Marie Le Conte (@Marie Le Conte) 1560428222

Still, it could have been worse...

Esther McVey didn't even beat totally unknown Mark "who he?" Harper... https://t.co/V00X2uiWLf
— Helen121 🕷💙🇪🇺 (@Helen121 🕷💙🇪🇺) 1560428806

Although he's probably regretting these campaign leaflets now.

Mark Harper’s having a party! Bring your... https://t.co/GWtwj7GFw3
— Henry Zeffman (@Henry Zeffman) 1560245203

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