Cleverly declares intention to run for Tory leadership

James Cleverly will become the first Tory to throw their hat in the ring and replace Rishi Sunak in what promises to be a fierce leadership battle.

- BARNEY DAVIS

The former home secretary said he could "unite the Conservative Party and overturn Starmer's loveless landslide" as he blew the race wide open with an emotional pitch featuring clips of home video of his childhood growing up in south London.

In a post on social media, the shadow minister said he was running 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”.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said: “Over the next parliament, we must not descend into the infighting, navelgazing and the internecine manoeuvrings at Westminster that plagued us in government.

“In opposition we must be unified and disciplined, resolute in the job of holding the Labour Party to account on their promises.”