Mel Stride, the former work and pensions secretary, has been eliminated from the Conservative Party leadership race, securing only 16 votes in the initial round of voting. This outcome marks the end of his bid to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Stride, who entered Parliament in 2010 at the age of 48, has had a diverse political career spanning various government roles. He served as financial secretary to the Treasury from 2017 to 2019 and briefly held the position of Leader of the House of Commons. In October 2022, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed him as work and pensions secretary.
Throughout his campaign, Stride positioned himself as a moderate and unity candidate, aiming to bridge the gap between different factions within the Conservative Party. He proposed policies to appeal to younger voters, including exempting first-time job starters from £5,000 of National Insurance payments, with the funds diverted into an ISA to assist with home deposits.
Stride's political journey has been marked by both achievements and challenges. In the most recent general election, he narrowly retained his Central Devon seat by a margin of just 61 votes, highlighting the competitive nature of his constituency.
"I could be the candidate with the most appeal to the wider electorate, bringing together the Conservative Party's splintering factions to present a united front."
Born in 1961, Stride has cited John F. Kennedy and Field Marshal William Slim as his biggest heroes, drawing inspiration from their leadership qualities. His focus on addressing worklessness and encouraging over-50s to return to employment has been a key aspect of his tenure as work and pensions secretary.
On the Brexit issue, Stride voted to remain in the European Union during the 2016 referendum. However, he has since stated that the UK must now capitalize on the opportunities presented by leaving the EU, demonstrating a pragmatic shift in his stance.
Stride's political career has not been without controversy. In 2019, he faced scrutiny over his father's company, which sold tax investigation insurance to businesses subject to HMRC inquiries. This occurred while Stride was serving as the government's spokesperson on the "loan charge" policy.
As the Conservative Party leadership race continues, Stride's elimination marks the end of his bid to lead the party and the country. His moderate approach and focus on unity leave a lasting impression on the political landscape, even as he steps back from the leadership contest.