James Cleverly: Conservatism with a smile or just an empty suit?

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If the Conservative leadership race were determined solely by charm and approachability, James Cleverly would have easily outshone everyone else and taken the position from Rishi Sunak a long time ago.

Although his opponents are definitely not the exaggerated villains depicted on social media, there’s no denying that when it comes to being friendly, engaging in light conversation, and boosting your confidence, Mr. Cleverly stands out far above many politicians.

It's not surprising that the former foreign secretary and home secretary looks up to Ronald Reagan, the actor who became one of the greatest presidents in US history. During his speech at the conference, he even referenced Reagan's well-known phrase, "It's morning in America again," which embodies a sense of optimism and hope. As Cleverly noted, it represents a version of conservatism that comes with a positive outlook.

There's no question that he has a strong sense of emotional intelligence. However, his critics often argue that he lacks fundamental intelligence, frequently making the sarcastic comment that the name "Cleverly" is a bit ironic.

A seasoned Conservative MP frequently makes a derogatory comparison, describing him as a "golf club conversationalist... the kind of individual you encounter at the clubhouse bar but would prefer not to spend an entire 18 holes with."

Some have described him as “vacuous,” and perhaps the harshest criticism is calling him “an empty suit”—someone who holds few beliefs and stands for even less.

Much of this represents the sharp exchanges that frequently occur between different factions in parliament, where personal rivalries and ambitions often take precedence over the truth. Nevertheless, the two portrayals of Cleverly illustrate why he is currently the frontrunner in the Tory competition, as well as the challenges he might face in uniting his party.

To grasp the perspectives for and against Cleverly, it's important to look at his experience in this leadership race. Although he's been considered a potential successor to Rishi Sunak for a while, his assertion that he decided to run only at the last moment is sincere.

Before the election, there were talks that he might be considering a position away from politics. However, when it really mattered, he shared with The Independent: “Deep down, I knew I would regret not running.”

Even before the contest officially began, there were ongoing doubts about whether he would receive enough backing from MPs. This became particularly clear during the second round when his number of supporters remained at 21, even though it seemed he had gained at least two more endorsements. As a result, he entered the conference as the frontrunner likely to be eliminated in the next parliamentary round.

Within just one day, he climbed from being the least favored candidate at 11/1 to the second favorite at 2/1, all thanks to a speech that received an enthusiastic reception and undoubtedly boosted the morale of a weary Conservative Party membership.

His plea to return to a sense of "normalcy" struck a chord with many people. However, he also responded to some of the criticism by promoting a hopeful outlook, encouraging unity, and suggesting various policies, including eliminating stamp duty on home purchases.

In a largely underwhelming series of speeches, he emerged as the clear standout. His ascent among MPs demonstrated that they recognized his potential for success.

Nonetheless, he must convince party members that he stands out compared to the other candidate chosen by the MPs. In this regard, his performance as a minister will play an essential role.

On the bright side, his loyalty stands out. He chose not to step down from the administrations of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, even when others, such as Kemi Badenoch, chose to leave. He kept his support for Sunak and remained steadfast, even when Robert Jenrick resigned from the Home Office, which created quite a stir.

When Cleverly talks about unity, he does it earnestly. It's possible that he will receive an endorsement from Boris Johnson because he attended the former prime minister's book launch on Tuesday night.

However, some critics argue that he is overly loyal and doesn’t take action when it’s required. He is now being seen as the “Sunak continuity candidate,” which is a negative tag considering the poor performance the Conservative Party had in the elections last July.

What matters even more is what he accomplished during his time as a minister.

During his time as foreign secretary, he undoubtedly won over many foreign ministers, particularly US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his previous French counterpart Catherine Colonna. He managed to mend ties that had been strained due to Brexit and Boris Johnson’s time in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

However, he frequently faced criticism for merely accepting the recommendations from his team without challenging them. This was especially evident in his hesitance to adopt a firm position regarding China or Iran.

In the past week, his discussions regarding the Chagos Islands and his seeming readiness to transfer them to Mauritius—something Labour has now finalized—were highlighted as a reason some considered him to be “a risk,” as an MP described it.

In reply to critics who claim he won't take a stance, he highlights that he was a supporter of Brexit long before the 2016 referendum and before it became trendy within the Conservative Party. It's quite ironic, however, that many Brexiteers are now more inclined to back his competitors because they perceive him as too practical in his opinions.

However, the most significant concern might be his tendency to make inappropriate jokes. This includes a troubling comment about drugging his wife Susie, whom he deeply loves, during a gathering with journalists at Downing Street, as well as a 2015 interview with John Pienaar in which he confessed to watching adult films and using marijuana. His supporters, on the other hand, argue that this behavior simply reflects his status as an everyday person with a sense of humor.

Ultimately, Cleverly might come out on top purely because people find him relatable. Following an election where the Conservatives faced defeat due to being unpopular and disconnected from the electorate, Cleverly’s friendly and approachable brand of Conservatism serves as a refreshing solution to their challenges.