But his campaign has soared after a strong showing at Tory Party conference. Cleverly delivered his address from a lectern, urging the party to “be more normal,” to sell its legacy “with a smile” — and to focus on unity over factional infighting. He also stressed it was not time for an “apprentice” to lead — a subtle dig at his more inexperienced competitors.
Polling by grassroots Tory bible ConservativeHome, published Tuesday, found 55 percent of members agreeing that conference had made them more likely to vote for him. He’s also been boosted by the backing of former leadership contender Mel Stride.
A party loyalist, Cleverly stayed continuously in government from 2018 while the Tories cycled through leaders. He’s made great hay of serving as party chairman during the 2019 general election, when Boris Johnson battered Labour and bagged an 80-seat majority.
Cleverly’s a smooth media operator, but he can be rather gaffe prone. He once became embroiled in a row with an MP over whether or not he called the northern England town of Stockton-on-Tees a “sh*thole.” And he made an off-color joke about spiking drinks after announcing a law to clampdown on the crime.
Robert Jenrick, the shapeshifter
Once dubbed “Robert Generic” for seeming to represent a flavorless brand of centrist Toryism, Cleverly has tacked to the right on immigration. He’s in a fight with Badenoch now to make the final two after Tuesday’s vote.
Jenrick voted to stay in the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum. But he came to prominence when he co-authored (with Rishi Sunak, no less) a Times op-ed endorsing Brexiteer Boris Johnson for leader.