James Cleverly Announces He is Running for Tory Leadership
The shadow home secretary expressed his belief that he is the one who could ‘restore the confidence’ of people in the party.
Shadow home secretary James Cleverly announced his bid for the Tory leadership, becoming the first contender on Tuesday.
Cleverly stated that he could “unite the Conservative Party and overturn [Prime Minister Sir Keir] Starmer’s loveless landslide” as his opening pitch.
In a video post on social media platform X just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday night, Cleverly mentioned that he aims to “restore the confidence of the British people in us as a party” and “re-establish our reputation” as a party that “helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams and their aspirations.”
During morning media rounds on Wednesday, Cleverly emphasized the need for the Tories to “expand our base of support.”
However, in response to a poll showing almost half of Conservative members favored joining forces with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, Cleverly stated that the party “doesn’t do mergers.”
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Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, seen as a potential right-wing candidate, cautioned the Tories against becoming “a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks.”
However, she has not confirmed her candidacy yet.
Other contenders in the race include shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, former Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
Nominations for Sunak’s replacement will formally begin on Wednesday evening and close on the afternoon of July 29.
For nomination, each candidate must have a proposer, a seconder, and eight nominations.
After nominations, the field will be narrowed down to four candidates by the parliamentary party, who will then present their case at the party conference from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 in Birmingham.
Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, stressed the importance of a “respectful and thorough” leadership debate and cautioned against it turning into “personal attacks.”
Sunak, who will continue as acting leader until his successor is chosen, emphasized the necessity of a “smooth and orderly transition” for the “national interest.”
PA Media contributed to this report.
