The Tory leadership race continued on Saturday as the remaining five contenders prepare for the second televised debate on Sunday night.
Friday night the candidates clashed over trans rights, or Boris Johnson is fair, and tax cuts.
former chancellor Rishi Sunak accused rivals Penny Mordaunt and Liz Truss of producing “fairy tale” tax policies during a spirited war of words.
On a visit to Teesside, Mr Sunak later doubled down on his economic plans and insisted that his priority was to curb inflation.
“I want to get to grips with inflation because inflation makes everyone poorer,” he said.
Ms Truss, on the other hand, argued that it is “wrong to levy taxes” at a time when families across the country are struggling and took an apparent swipe at Mr Sunak by claiming that “now is not the time.” for a continuity of our current economic policy”.
To try and gain the support of Brexiteers from their party, both Mr Sunak and Tom Tugendhat claimed that they will both maximize the chances of the UK’s exit from the EU.
Although Mr Tugenhat’s share of the vote fell after the second round of results, he said: “I’ve never turned down a challenge because the odds were against me. I’m not going to start now.”
On Saturday, Penny Mordaunt appealed directly to voters and urged them to contact their MP to ask for their support.
She said: ‘I am well aware that while my party is electing a new leader, you are watching us choose your next prime minister.
“At some point, you all have a voice. Please contact your local MP to ask for their support for me and I will focus on making our nation what it can be.”
She also got the support of Tobias Ellwood, chair of the defense committee, who claimed that Ms Mordaunt is the only one who has a security plan for the UK.
Despite being begged to drop out of the race, the final candidate, Kemi Badenochwas praised by Tory MP Tom Hunt, who said the former Equal Opportunities minister “speaks candidly and directly”.
He added: “What we did see, which I think was refreshing, was someone who speaks the truth, who speaks candidly and directly.
“And what I also find very attractive about Kemi is the fact that she’s not your conventional type of politician, not your conventional type of conservative.”
The final five will take part in the second televised debate on ITV at 7pm on Sunday. The next round of voting will take place on Monday before further voting on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Another debate will be held on Sky at 8pm on Tuesday, before the latter two take part in regional hustings from July 22.