Three contenders were knocked out in a vote on Wednesday and more may drop out in the coming days.
After further ballots next week - a final two will be put to the party's membership.
Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's cemented his position as favourite after comfortably winning Wednesday's voting.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid was some way behind but says he can now win backers from those candidates no longer in contention.
IN: "Colleagues...
OUT: ...I can."
DUR: 14 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0614tories-javid1.mp3