James Cleverly Leads in Tory Leadership Poll, Calls for Party Unity

A recent poll conducted for James Cleverly's campaign has positioned him as the frontrunner in the Tory leadership race. The survey, carried out by Techne UK, indicates that 13% of voters believe Cleverly would make the best prime minister among the four contenders.

The poll results show a close race, with Robert Jenrick at 12%, Kemi Badenoch at 10%, and Tom Tugendhat at 6%. However, the most striking finding is that 59% of respondents were undecided, highlighting the candidates' low public profile.

Cleverly, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2015 and was Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs from 2022 to 2023, also led when voters were asked which candidate would make them more likely to vote Conservative. 15% of respondents favored Cleverly, followed by Jenrick at 13%, Badenoch at 12%, and Tugendhat at 9%.

At the Conservative Party conference, which began on September 28, 2024, Cleverly maintained a low profile while emphasizing the need for party unity. He addressed the divisions that had plagued the Conservatives during their time in government, stating:

"When the voters tell you something, you should listen. The British voters told us not that they wanted a Labour Government. In fact, in many instances they told us they didn't want a Labour Government. But what they did tell us is they wanted us out of office."

Cleverly, who briefly ran for the Conservative Party leadership in 2019, has positioned himself as a unity candidate. He has a diverse background, having served in the British Army and reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Artillery. His political career includes roles as Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2020 and as a member of the London Assembly since 2008.

The leadership contest comes at a crucial time for the Conservative Party, which has faced challenges in recent years. Cleverly's call for unity resonates with his past experiences, including his support for the UK leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum and his advocacy for stronger ties with Commonwealth countries.

As the conference progresses, all four candidates will need to address the significant portion of undecided voters. Cleverly's background in diplomacy, gained through his role as Foreign Secretary and involvement in various diplomatic missions, may prove advantageous in navigating the party's internal dynamics and public perception.

The coming days will be critical for Cleverly and his rivals as they attempt to distinguish themselves and win over both party members and the wider public. With his emphasis on unity and understanding voter concerns, Cleverly appears to be setting a tone that acknowledges past mistakes while looking towards rebuilding public trust in the Conservative Party.