James Cleverly gains momentum after Tory leadership speeches

James Cleverly has strengthened his position in the Conservative leadership competition after his call for the party to become “more relatable” was well-received by delegates in Birmingham. This came during the keynote speeches delivered by the four candidates at the party conference.

Robert Jenrick, who secured a significant number of votes from MPs in the initial rounds of voting, found that his immigration-focused proposal didn't resonate with the audience. This was evident as each candidate delivered consecutive speeches on Wednesday.

"I initially intended to vote for Robert Jenrick, but I've had a change of heart," remarked Jackie Rance, a Conservative member from Berkshire. "James Cleverly was sincere and professional."

The competition to replace Rishi Sunak has intensified following a four-day event that sparked debates, with Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch at the center of the controversy. Meanwhile, Cleverly garnered positive reactions, and Tom Tugendhat continued to be viewed as an underdog.

Cleverly, who finished tied for third in the second round of voting, received the loudest applause from the audience, bringing the event to a powerful close. His performance helped him rise to second place in the betting odds, surpassing Badenoch.

Cleverly, who has previously served as both foreign secretary and home secretary and has also held the position of party chair, highlighted his extensive experience, stating that this is not the right moment for an “apprentice” to take charge of the Conservative Party.

He started by expressing his regrets, telling the party supporters that he was “apologetic on behalf of the parliamentary team — who disappointed you” and cautioned: “We need to improve, a lot.”

The challenge facing the Conservatives is to present the party in a friendly way. He emphasized the need to be lively, approachable, and have a positive outlook. He also called on the party to adopt a more down-to-earth approach.

Referencing former US president Ronald Reagan, Cleverly urged the Conservative Party to emulate his approach by reducing taxes, easing regulations, increasing military funding, and achieving a significant electoral victory. He concluded his speech by echoing one of Reagan's most famous phrases, promising that it could be a time of renewal for Britain once more.

Jenrick, who has led the voting among MPs in both rounds so far, emphasized migration in his address.

He promised to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and to introduce a new British bill of rights into UK legislation if he were to gain power, emphasizing his commitment to "protect our borders."

Introducing a five-point strategy, Jenrick announced his intentions to oppose mass migration, prioritize affordable and dependable energy, revive construction in Britain, reduce the size of the government, and foster a stronger sense of unity within the nation.

Questions began to emerge about whether he had lost his early momentum, as some people noted that he seemed unable to engage the audience effectively.

Tory MP Jesse Norman unexpectedly criticized Jenrick's performance, describing his speech as "lazy, dishonest, and overly simplistic nonsense."

Badenoch, regarded as the frontrunner leading up to the event, received enthusiastic applause for her speech. In it, she vowed to consistently oppose leftist nonsense, identified herself as a skeptic regarding net-zero policies, and detailed her efforts to confront the prevailing opinions on transgender matters.

She portrayed herself as someone who speaks candidly and isn't afraid to share difficult truths. She claimed that she would present challenging messages to her political party. Her plan for governing would begin with fundamental ideas to unravel the impact left by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which she believed continues to influence the UK today.

She stated that she plans to make Labour's Chancellor Rachel Reeves feel uncomfortable and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer uneasy, remarking, "We’re going to enjoy ourselves."

As candidates aim to win over the backing of Conservative MPs before the upcoming voting rounds next week — which will narrow the competition down to the final two, with party members deciding in the final vote — her campaign announced that former cabinet minister Sir David Davis has joined as a new prominent supporter following her speech.

Tugendhat, often regarded as an outsider, promised to bring “patriotism and purpose” back to the Conservative party. He emphasized that his focus would be on actionable results rather than just political beliefs.

He emphasized his time in the military, claiming it helped him develop his leadership abilities. He promised, “I will dedicate myself to our nation, I will lead with determination, and I will make swift decisions.”

A centrist member of the Conservative Party, who has shifted more to the right during the campaign, reiterated his commitment to limit net legal immigration to 100,000 people annually. He also advocated for tax reductions, easier planning regulations, and a decrease in unnecessary rules. His goal, he stated, is to bring "wealth and happiness" to the people.

Many Tory activists considered Cleverly the standout success of this week's conference, as there was a general sentiment that Jenrick's speech fell short and that he was losing support.

David Turner, a resident of South Shropshire, expressed his opinion: “I believe Cleverly performed excellently. Jenrick seemed to lose the audience's attention.”

"Cleverly definitely emerged as the standout of the week," noted 23-year-old Oliver Bramley. He commented on Cleverly's strong presence, stating he appeared to possess the qualities of a prime minister and avoided divisive cultural arguments.