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The next leader of the opposition will be announced in just over a week.

But until then, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are still working hard to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Of the two, Jenrick has been more open to public events and speaking to the media, but this does not appear to have significantly changed the course of events.

In a recent poll of Conservative Party members by ConservativeHome, Ms Badenoch’s lead was 55% to 31%, with the remainder unsure.

However, when asked today, Jenrick still believes he is still in the race.

Telling him the competition was almost over, he replied: “Absolutely not – it’s neck and neck, it’s a poll, not a poll.”

He added: “There is a lot to fight for and I will definitely be driving around the country as I have been doing all summer.

“And I think my message resonates with members and the public that we need to learn the lessons, we need to have a strong and clear policy now, not a vague promise of one tomorrow, unite the party and take the fight to Labor as quickly as possible “

Jenrick was speaking to the Henry Jackson Society, a foreign affairs think tank.

In his speech, he made clear his hawkish views on China, Iran and Russia and his desire to increase British defense spending using the foreign aid budget.