James Cleverly

Last updated

Susannah Sparks
​
(m. 2000)​
Lieutenant Colonel The Right Honourable
James Cleverly
TD VR MP
Official portrait of James Cleverly MP crop 2, 2024.jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Home Secretary
In office
13 November 2023 –5 July 2024
Preceded byLiz Truss
Succeeded by David Cameron
Children2
Residence Blackheath, London
Alma mater Ealing College of Higher Education
Occupation
Signature James Cleverly signature.svg
Website cleverly4braintree.com
Military service
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Branch/service British Army (Reserve)
Years of service1989–present
Rank Lieutenant colonel
Unit Royal Artillery
James Cleverly's voice
Cleverly outlines his foreign policy priorities as Foreign Secretary
Recorded 15 December 2022

James Spencer Cleverly TD VR (born 4 September 1969) is a British politician and Army Reserve officer who served as Home Secretary from November 2023 to July 2024 and as Foreign Secretary from 2022 to 2023. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Braintree since 2015. He previously served as Education Secretary from July to September 2022, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party alongside Ben Elliot from 2019 to 2020, and in other junior ministerial positions.

Contents

Born in Lewisham, Cleverly attended Riverston School and Colfe's School. He went on to study hospitality management studies at the Ealing College of Higher Education, before he pursued a military career after he was commissioned into the Army Reserve in 1991. Cleverly was elected to the London Assembly for Bexley and Bromley in the 2008 election for the Conservative party, and served as the party's leader in the assembly from 2011 to 2012. He was elected to the House of Commons for Braintree in 2015 general election, and later stood down from the London Assembly in the 2016 election. He advocated a vote for Brexit in the 2016 EU membership referendum and was reelected to parliament in the 2017 general election.

In the second May ministry, Cleverly served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2018 to 2019 and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union from April to July 2019. Cleverly was promoted to the Cabinet as minister without portfolio in the First Johnson ministry, serving as co-chairman of the Conservative Party alongside Ben Elliot from 2019 to 2020. Cleverly was demoted from the Cabinet in the 2020 cabinet reshuffle; serving as Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America from February 2020 to February 2022 and as Minister of State for Europe and North America from February to July 2022. During the July 2022 government crisis, Cleverly returned to Cabinet; succeeding Michelle Donelan as Secretary of State for Education.

In September 2022, he was appointed foreign secretary by Prime Minister Liz Truss, whom he had directly served under while she was Foreign Secretary. Retained as foreign secretary when Rishi Sunak became prime minister in October 2022, Cleverly was then appointed home secretary in the November 2023 cabinet reshuffle, being succeeded as foreign secretary by former prime minister David Cameron. As Home Secretary, Cleverly committed to maintaining the Rwanda asylum plan and introduced a plan to substantially reduce legal migration to the UK by raising the threshold for family visas. After Labour's victory in the 2024 general election, Cleverly was appointed Shadow Home Secretary in Sunak's shadow cabinet, and later launched his bid to become Leader of the Conservative Party but was knocked out of the contest in the final round of MP voting. He returned to the backbenches upon the election of Kemi Badenoch as leader.

Early life and education

James Cleverly was born on 4 September 1969 in Lewisham to James Philip and Evelyn Suna Cleverly. His English father worked as a surveyor and his Sierra Leonean mother worked as a midwife. [1] He was privately educated at Riverston School and Colfe's School in Lee. He pursued hospitality management studies at Ealing College of Higher Education (now University of West London) graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. [2] [3]

After graduation, Cleverly worked for publishing company Verenigde Nederlandse Uitgeverijen, and joined Informa as international sales manager in 2002. In 2004, he joined Crimson Publishing as an advertising manager. He became online commercial manager for Caspian Publishing in 2006. The following year, he co-founded web publishing company Point and Fire. [2]

Military service

Cleverly's initial training at Sandhurst was curtailed by a leg injury sustained in 1989. On 6 October 1991, he was commissioned into the Army Reserve, as a second lieutenant (acting). [4] In January 1993, his commission was confirmed and he was appointed substantive second lieutenant. [5] Cleverly was promoted to lieutenant on 6 October 1993, [6] to captain on 26 May 1998, [7] and to major on 1 November 2003. [8]

Until 2005, Cleverly was Battery Commander of 266 (Para) Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers). [9] Cleverly was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 1 March 2015. [10] He is serving with 100 (Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Artillery, working as a Staff Officer in 1st (UK) Division. [11]

London assembly career (2008–2016)

In March 2007, Cleverly was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the Bexley and Bromley constituency of the London Assembly. The London Assembly election was held on 1 May with the count and declaration on 2 May, where he received 105,162 votes (52.6% of the vote) and a majority of 75,237. [12]

In January 2009, Cleverly was appointed as the Mayor of London's youth ambassador, a newly created role which was seen as being a replacement post for the deputy mayor for young people, a post left vacant after the resignation of Ray Lewis. The creation of the role caused some controversy as it was not filled by a mayoral appointment but by a member of the Assembly whose formal role was to scrutinise the Mayor. The decision was defended because of the precedent set by the appointment of Kit Malthouse as Deputy Mayor for Policing. [13]

In February 2010, Cleverly was appointed as the chairman of the London Waste and Recycling Board, replacing Boris Johnson who had stood down. [14] In August 2010, Cleverly posted a tweet saying: "We may be coalition partners but it doesn't stop me thinking Simon Hughes is a dick." This was in response to a suggestion by Hughes, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, that backbench MPs should be able to veto Coalition policies. [15] He later apologised. [16]

In November 2010, Cleverly was re-selected to be the Conservative candidate for Bexley and Bromley at the 2012 London Assembly election, going on to win the seat with 88,482 votes (once again 52.6% of the votes) and a majority of 47,768. [17] After the defeat of Brian Coleman at the election, Cleverly was appointed to the chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. [18]

Parliamentary career (2015–present)

Backbenches (2015–2019)

In January 2015, Cleverly was selected to be the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Braintree, after the sitting Conservative MP Brooks Newmark stood down following controversy over sending sexually suggestive messages to an undercover reporter. [19] His selection came after the initial selection process was quietly suspended by Conservative Campaign Headquarters, after the local party chose someone not on the approved candidates list and was told to "think again". [20] At the 2015 general election, Cleverly was elected to Parliament as MP for Braintree, winning 53.8% of the vote and a majority of 17,610. [21] Following the election, Cleverly did not defend his seat at the 2016 London Assembly election. [22]

In November 2015, Cleverly was criticised for pushing through the closure of 10 fire stations in London after the death of an elderly man in Camden following delays in the arrival of fire crews. In response, Cleverly said: "It is impossible for them to say that with certainty. I think it would be much wiser for the FBU to wait for the details of that fire investigation to come out before they start making these opportunistic allegations." [23]

In January 2016, the Labour Party proposed an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill 2016, [24] which would have required private landlords to make homes which they put up for rent "fit for human habitation". According to Parliament's register of interests, Cleverly was one of 72 Conservative MPs who voted against the amendment and who personally derived an income from renting out property. The Conservative Government had responded to the amendment by saying that they believed homes should be fit for human habitation but did not want to pass the new law that would explicitly require it. [25] In March 2016, Cleverly was asked to step down as patron of Advocacy for All, a charity supporting disadvantaged people in South East England. The charity felt he was no longer a suitable person for the role, given that he had voted to cut Employment and Support Allowance (the benefit paid to disabled people who are unable to work). [26] [27]

Cleverly advocated voting for Brexit in the 2016 EU membership referendum. [28] At the 2017 general election, Cleverly was re-elected with an increased vote share of 62.8% and an increased majority of 18,422. [29] In January 2018 he was appointed as a deputy chairman of the Conservative Party [30] before becoming a junior minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union in April 2019. In October 2018, Cleverly defended Conservative London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey over potentially Islamophobic and Hinduphobic comments made in a pamphlet and suggested that black boys were drifting into crime as a result of learning more about faiths other than "their own Christian culture". [31] On 29 May 2019, Cleverly announced he was standing to replace Theresa May in the 2019 Conservative leadership election, [32] before withdrawing from the race on 4 June 2019. [33]

Frontbench career (2019–2022)

Cleverly as Minister of State for Middle East & North Africa in 2020. James Cleverly, Minister of State for Middle East & North Africa (jointly with FCO).jpg
Cleverly as Minister of State for Middle East & North Africa in 2020.

Following the appointment of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, Cleverly was appointed Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party, serving alongside Ben Elliot. At the 2019 general election, Cleverly was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 67.5% and an increased majority of 24,673. [34] [35]

In the 2020 cabinet reshuffle, Cleverly was removed from Johnson's cabinet and appointed Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa. He became Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America in December 2021, before being appointed Minister of State for Europe and North America in February 2022. In September 2020, he expressed concern about a "looming" famine in Yemen. [36]

In March 2021, Cleverly described the situation in Yemen as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. [37] In March 2022, he said that attempts to compare Saudi Arabia to Russia were "ridiculously distasteful", describing Saudi Arabia as an "incredibly influential country in the region" and a "significant oil and gas producer." [38] On 7 July 2022, Cleverly succeeded Michelle Donelan as Secretary of State for Education, a post that he held for almost two months. [39]

Foreign Secretary (2022–2023)

Cleverly receiving a guard of honour as Foreign Secretary at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris, 2023 Foreign Secretary James Cleverly meets Catherine Colonna (52738581323).jpg
Cleverly receiving a guard of honour as Foreign Secretary at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris, 2023

Cleverly was promoted to the position Foreign Secretary by incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss on 6 September 2022. Cleverly attended the UN Security Council meeting on 22 September, where he called on other countries to reject the annexation referendums due to take place in Russian-occupied areas in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. [40] On 20 October 2022, he announced that the United Kingdom would pursue sanctions against Iran for supplying drones to attack civilian targets in Ukraine. Cleverly stated that "Iran cannot be allowed to violate UN resolutions". [41]

Cleverly with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 8 December 2022 Foreign Secretary James Cleverly meets Ethiopia Prime Minister - 52550983134.jpg
Cleverly with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 8 December 2022

Cleverly endorsed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election. As Johnson ended up not standing, Cleverly then endorsed Rishi Sunak. [42] Sunak re-appointed him to his cabinet as Foreign Secretary on 25 October 2022. That same month, due to doubts raised that British homosexual football fans would be safe at the 2022 Football World Cup taking place in Qatar, Cleverly suggested that they should show "a little bit of flex and compromise", [43] adding that he thought it was "important when you're a visitor to a country that you respect the culture of your host nation." He described Qatar as "an Islamic country with a very different set of cultural norms to our own [those of Britain]". [44] Labour called his advice "shockingly tone-deaf", [45] due to the fact that gay activity is illegal in Qatar and that Cleverly had known that if gay people expressed their homosexuality openly in Qatar they would be arrested. Earlier in 2022, LGBT organisations stated that "progress has been slow" in attempting to ensure the safety of LGBT football fans with FIFA in Qatar – and additionally that reassurances from Qatar had "not been adequate". [43] In Qatar, sex between men carries a penalty of up to 7 years in prison. [44]

Cleverly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, 11 September 2023 Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits Israel (53180940629).jpg
Cleverly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, 11 September 2023

In May 2022, the country's emir, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said that he believed criticism about Qatar being chosen to host the World Cup came from "people who cannot accept the idea that an Arab Muslim country would host a tournament like the World Cup". [44] [46] Sunak's spokesperson distanced themselves from Cleverly's comments, saying that fans should not have to "compromise who they are", as well as that "Qatar's policies are not those of the UK Government and not ones we would endorse". [47] In November 2022, Cleverly stated that his actions were "about ensuring that the English and Welsh fans going over to enjoy the football were safe and happy and that they enjoyed themselves whilst watching the tournament." [48] In December 2022, despite human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, Cleverly called Saudi Arabia a strategic partner. [49] In the same month, Cleverly met his Norwegian counterpart, Anniken Huitfeldt, to discuss continued military cooperation and attended the annual Christmas tree lighting. [50]

Cleverly in Washington DC with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2023 Secretary Blinken Holds a Press Conference with UK Foreign Secretary Cleverly (52633939089).jpg
Cleverly in Washington DC with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2023

In January 2023, Cleverly again met Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, in Washington, DC, to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, recent events in Iran following the anti-regime protests occurring there among other issues, as well as to reaffirm the UK's special relationship with the United States. [51] Cleverly was criticised by some Conservative MPs, including Liz Truss, for refusing to reclassify China as a "threat" in response to the Chinese Government's aggressive foreign policy and its human rights abuses of the Uyghur Muslim community. [52] He called China a potential "partner for good". [53]

On 19 July 2023, Cleverly made a public statement following his being mooted as a possible successor to the departing Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace. Cleverly asked Prime Minister Sunak to leave him in his current position, because he said he really likes the job. He stated that if he was removed from his post, "you will see nail marks on the parquet floor in my office". [54] In August 2023, Cleverly made his first visit to China as the first UK Government minister to visit the country since 2018. [55] The trip was reportedly to promote bilateral trade and climate change policy and challenge China's response to the Russo-Ukrainian War. [56] [57]

Cleverly with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, 13 September 2023 Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits Turkey - 53185380981.jpg
Cleverly with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, 13 September 2023

On 13 September 2023, he met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara and stated that Turkey is an "indispensable partner" to the UK and "has truly significant commitments to NATO." [58] Cleverly expressed support for Israel during the Israel–Hamas war. On 11 October 2023, he visited Israel "to show solidarity to Israeli people". [59] He rejected calls for a ceasefire but supported "humanitarian pauses" to provide aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip. [60]

Home Secretary (2023–2024)

Cleverly with Dutch Minister for Migration Eric van der Burg in March 2024 Home Secretary James Cleverly hosts the Calais Group in Brussels on 4 March 2024 - 9.jpg
Cleverly with Dutch Minister for Migration Eric van der Burg in March 2024

In Sunak's cabinet reshuffle on 13 November 2023, Cleverly was appointed Home Secretary, succeeding Suella Braverman. [61] [62] On 22 November 2023, Cleverly was accused by Labour MP Alex Cunningham of calling Cunningham's Stockton North constituency a "shithole" in response to a question in the House of Commons; Cleverly denied the allegation, but apologised for using "unparliamentary language", which he said had instead been used to describe Cunningham himself. [63]

On 23 December 2023, Cleverly faced calls to resign for joking about spiking his wife's drink with Rohypnol, a date rape drug to ensure that she would "never realise there are better men out there”. [64] A spokesperson said that Cleverly "apologise[d]" for what he had intended "to be an ironic joke". [65]

In opposition (2024–present)

Logo used for Cleverly's 2024 leadership bid Cleverly for Leader White Logo.png
Logo used for Cleverly's 2024 leadership bid

At the 2024 general election, Cleverly was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of 35.5% and a decreased majority of 3,670. [66] Following the Conservative Party's defeat at the general election and the subsequent formation of the Starmer ministry, Cleverly was appointed Shadow Home Secretary in Sunak's caretaker Shadow Cabinet. [67]

On 23 July 2024, he announced he was running in the leadership election to be the new Conservative Party leader. [68] [69] As part of his campaign he pledged to reform the party including Conservative Campaign Headquarters. [70] In the first a round of voting, Cleverly came third with 22 votes, [71] but fell down to 21 votes in the second round, coming joint third with Tom Tugendhat. [72] On the third round, however, Cleverly jumped to first place with 39 votes, after a strong performance at the 2024 Party Conference where he argued that the Conservative Party should become "more normal". [73] However, Cleverly was eliminated in the final round of MP voting with 37 votes. This was widely considered a shock result after his strong performance in the third round. [74] The Independent has alleged that Robert Jenrick's campaign launched a whipping operation in order to poach Cleverly's supporters, convincing those who disliked Kemi Badenoch to support Jenrick in order to keep her out of the final round. [75] This loss of votes led Cleverly to be knocked out, allowing Badenoch and Jenrick to go to the Member's vote [76] which Kemi Badenoch won, leading her to become the Leader of the Conservative Party. [77] The day before the result was announced, Cleverly revealed that he would not take a frontbench role in either Badenoch or Jenrick's Shadow Cabinet, instead choosing to return to the backbenches. [78]

Personal life

Cleverly married Susannah Sparks in 2000, after meeting at the University of West London nine years earlier. [79] Susannah was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer in December 2021, and following a single mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy she finished treatment in April 2023. [80] The couple have two sons and live in Blackheath, south-east London. [81]

Cleverly's cousin Chris Cleverly is a lawyer and businessman. [82] Cleverly does not believe in God. He has been a fan of the miniature wargame Warhammer 40,000 ; in 2022 he had a private YouTube channel dedicated to painting the game's miniatures. [83] [84]

Honours and decorations

Cleverly was awarded the Efficiency Decoration (TD) for 12 years' commissioned service in the Territorial Army in January 2012, [85] [86] as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2023. He was sworn of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom on 8 October 2019 at Buckingham Palace as part of his appointment as Minister without portfolio and Conservative Party Chairman in the Johnson ministry. Membership of the Privy Council affords the honorary prefix "the Right Honourable" for life. [87]

UK Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg
UK Queen EII Platinum Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg Coronation of Charles III Medal ribbon.png Efficiency Decoration (Territorial & Volunteer Reserve).png Volunteer Reserves Service Medal.png
RibbonDescriptionNotes
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon.png Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
  • 2002
  • UK version of this medal
QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • 2012
  • UK version of this medal
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.png Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
  • 2022
  • UK version of this medal
Coronation of Charles III Medal ribbon.png King Charles III Coronation Medal
  • 2023
  • UK version of this medal
Efficiency Decoration (Territorial & Volunteer Reserve).png Efficiency Decoration (TD)
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal.png Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (VR)
  • 10 years Commissioned Service in the Territorial Army/Army Reserves

Notes

  1. ↑ As Minister of State for Europe; Cleverly retained responsibility for North America
  2. ↑ As Minister of State for Europe. Rehman Chishti assumed responsibility for North America.
  3. ↑ Jointly with the Department for International Development until September 2020; Middle East and North Africa until December 2021.
  4. ↑ As Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East. The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon assumed responsibility for North Africa; Cleverly retained responsibility for North America

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Hands</span> British politician (born 1965)

Gregory William Hands is a British politician who served as Minister for London and Minister of State for Trade Policy from November 2023 to July 2024. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chelsea and Fulham, previously Hammersmith and Fulham, from 2005 to 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as its Chairman from February to November 2023. Hands has served as Minister of State for Trade Policy under four prime ministers, holding the office on four occasions, ranging from 2016 to 2024, and also served as Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth from 2021 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nadhim Zahawi</span> British politician (born 1967)

Nadhim Zahawi is an Iraqi-born British former politician who served in various ministerial positions under prime ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak from 2018 to 2023. He most recently served as Chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without Portfolio from 25 October 2022 until he was dismissed by Sunak on 29 January 2023. A member of the Conservative Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Stratford-on-Avon from 2010 to 2024. Zahawi is perhaps most noted for being sacked as Conservative Party chairman for failing to adhere to the Ministerial Code, i.e. "to maintain high standards of behaviour and to behave in a way that upholds the highest standards of propriety".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Stride</span> British politician (born 1961)

Melvyn John Stride is a British politician who has served as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in Kemi Badenoch’s Shadow Cabinet since November 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Devon since 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rishi Sunak</span> Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024

Rishi Sunak is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024. He was Leader of the Conservative Party from October 2022 to November 2024. Following his defeat to Keir Starmer’s Labour Party in the 2024 general election, he became Leader of the Opposition, serving in this role from July to November 2024. The first British Asian to hold those offices, he previously held two Cabinet positions under Boris Johnson, latterly as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022. Sunak has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond and Northallerton, previously Richmond (Yorks), since 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy Morton</span> British politician (born 1967)

Wendy Morton is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aldridge-Brownhills since 2015 and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs since November 2024.A member of the Conservative Party, she previously served as Chief Whip of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury from September to October 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Heappey</span> British politician (born 1981)

Major James Stephen Heappey is a British politician and former soldier who served as Minister of State for the Armed Forces from 2020 to 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wells in Somerset from 2015 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Tugendhat</span> British politician (born 1973)

Thomas Georg John Tugendhat is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tonbridge, previously Tonbridge and Malling, since 2015. A member of the Conservative Party, he previously served in the Cabinet as Minister of State for Security from September 2022 to July 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Dowden</span> British politician (born 1978)

Sir Oliver James Dowden, is a British politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2023 to 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, he previously held various ministerial positions under Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak between 2018 and 2024. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hertsmere since 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kemi Badenoch</span> British politician (born 1980)

Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch is a British politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party since November 2024. The first black person to hold those offices, she previously served in the Cabinet under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak from 2022 to 2024. She has been Member of Parliament (MP) for North West Essex, previously Saffron Walden, since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Rowley</span> British politician

Lee Benjamin Rowley is a British politician and former management consultant who has served as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition since November 2024. He previously served as Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Building Safety from November 2023 to July 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Derbyshire from 2017 to 2024. He previously served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety between October 2022 and November 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felicity Buchan</span> British Conservative politician

Felicity Christiana Buchan is a British politician and former banker who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kensington in London from 2019 until the seat's abolition in 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, she served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Homelessness in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities from October 2022 to July 2024. Prior to this, Buchan served as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury from September to October 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Holden (British politician)</span> British politician (born 1985)

Richard John Holden is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Basildon and Billericay and Shadow Paymaster General since 2024. A member of the Conservative party, he was previously the Member of Parliament for North West Durham from 2019 to 2024. Holden served as the Chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without Portfolio from November 2023 to July 2024, and as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport from 2022 to 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire Coutinho</span> British politician (born 1985)

Claire Coryl Julia Coutinho is a British politician and former investment banker who has been Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Shadow Minister for Equalities since 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Surrey since 2019. Coutinho previously served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero from August 2023 to July 2024. She has been described as a close ally of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and as an ardent supporter of Brexit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election</span> British leadership election to replace Boris Johnson

The July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election was triggered by Boris Johnson's announcement on 7 July 2022 that he would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, following a series of political controversies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premiership of Liz Truss</span> Period of the Government of the United Kingdom in 2022

Liz Truss's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom began on 6 September 2022 when she accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to form a government, succeeding Boris Johnson, and ended 49 days later on 25 October upon her resignation. As prime minister, she served simultaneously as First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election</span> British leadership election to replace Liz Truss

The October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election was triggered by Liz Truss's announcement that she would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, amid an economic and political crisis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunak ministry</span> Government of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024

The Sunak ministry began on 25 October 2022 when Rishi Sunak was invited by King Charles III to succeed Liz Truss as prime minister of the United Kingdom. Truss resigned as leader of the Conservative Party the previous day after Sunak was elected unopposed as her successor. The Sunak ministry was formed from the 2019 Parliament of the United Kingdom, as a Conservative majority government. Sunak reshuffled his cabinet twice, first in February 2023 and later in November 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premiership of Rishi Sunak</span> Period of Government of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024

Rishi Sunak's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom began on 25 October 2022 when he accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government, succeeding Liz Truss, and ended on 5 July 2024 upon his resignation. He is the first British Asian and the first Hindu to hold the office. Sunak's premiership was dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, the cost-of-living crisis, and the Rwanda asylum plan. As prime minister, Sunak also served simultaneously as First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union.

The 2024 Conservative Party leadership election was announced on 5 July 2024 when then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared his intention to resign as Conservative Party leader following the party's defeat at the 2024 general election. The leadership race commenced on 24 July and concluded on 31 October. On 2 November, Kemi Badenoch was announced as the winner of the members' ballot, becoming the first Black leader of any major UK political party, the fourth female Conservative leader and the second consecutive Conservative leader to be non-White.

This is a list of public endorsements for declared candidates for the 2024 leadership election for the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom.

References

  1. ↑ Lavender, Matthew (29 May 2019). "Conservative leadership race: Who is James Cleverly?". Sky News. Sky News. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 Mulholland, Hélène (6 May 2009). "Man of action". The Guardian . ISSN   1756-3224. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  3. ↑ Page 4: The Journey to Leadership from UWL. In: Your University – The Magazine for UWL Alumni and Friends – Winter 2019 Archived 5 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine at electronic publishing platform Issuu.com
  4. ↑ "No. 52740". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 December 1991. p. 18966.
  5. ↑ "No. 53171". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 1993. p. 436.
  6. ↑ "No. 53479". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 November 1993. p. 17888.
  7. ↑ "No. 55228". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 August 1998. p. 8984.
  8. ↑ "No. 57252". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 April 2004. p. 4383.
  9. ↑ "James Cleverly". London.GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "No. 62207". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 February 2018. p. 3151.
  11. ↑ Cleverly MP, James. "About James". cleverly4braintree.com/about. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "London Elections: Bexley & Bromley". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Mulholland, Hélène (6 May 2009). "London's youth ambassador James Cleverly". The Guardian . ISSN   1756-3224. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "James Cleverly". London Waste and Recycling Board. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Tory in 'abusive' Twitter insult to MP Simon Hughes". BBC News. 18 August 2010. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "Boris aide apologises for abusing Lib-Dem Simon Hughes". Evening Standard . 19 August 2010. ISSN   2041-4404. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "LONDON ELECTION 2012: Conservative James Cleverly retains Bexley & Bromley seat". SW Londoner. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Brian Coleman reportedly replaced as fire authority chairman". Times Series. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Cleverly selected as Conservative parliamentary candidate for Braintree". Braintree and Witham Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  20. ↑ "David Cameron's secret A-list". The Spectator . 28 March 2015. ISSN   0038-6952. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  21. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Former members of the London Assembly". London City Hall. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  23. ↑ "The men who pushed through cuts to fire brigade close ranks". Camden New Journal. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  24. ↑ "Did MPs vote against forcing homes to be made fit to live in?". Full Fact . London. 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  25. ↑ Stone, Jon (9 November 2012). "Tories vote down law requiring landlords make their homes fit for human habitation". The Independent . ISSN   1741-9743. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  26. ↑ "Three Tory MPs, including Zac Goldsmith, asked to stand down as patrons of disability charities". Third Sector. London: Haymarket Media Group. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  27. ↑ Winterbottom, Summer (15 March 2016). "Second Tory MP told to resign as charity patron after voting for £30 ESA cuts - EvolvePolitics.com". Evolve Politics. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  28. ↑ Perraudin, Frances (1 November 2015). "Tory MP reveals he smoked marijuana and watched online porn". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  29. ↑ "Statement of Persons Nominated". Braintree District Council. Archived from the original on 13 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "Party Structure and Organisation". Conservatives. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  31. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (4 October 2018). "Tory deputy chairman admits concerns about Shaun Bailey remarks". The Guardian . ISSN   1756-3224. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  32. ↑ Acharya, Bhargav (29 May 2019). "Junior Brexit Minister James Cleverly enters race to be next UK PM..." Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  33. ↑ Wills, Ella (4 June 2019). "James Cleverly withdraws from Tory leadership race". Evening Standard . ISSN   2041-4404. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  34. ↑ "Democracy Club Candidates". candidates.democracyclub.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  35. ↑ "Braintree Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  36. ↑ Heffer, Greg (24 September 2020). "Yemen: UK government accused of 'turning a blind eye' to war crimes by failing to halt Saudi arms sales". Sky News . Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  37. ↑ Crace, John (2 March 2021). "Even inaptly named Cleverly sees fault lines in Yemen aid argument". The Guardian . ISSN   1756-3224. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  38. ↑ Schofield, Kevin (17 March 2022). "James Cleverly: It's "Ridiculously Distasteful" To Compare Russia With Saudi Arabia". HuffPost . Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  39. ↑ UK Prime Minister [@10DowningStreet] (7 July 2022). "The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP @JamesCleverly has been appointed Secretary of State for Education @educationgovuk" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 July 2022– via Twitter.
  40. ↑ Brown, Faye (22 September 2022). "Foreign Secretary James Cleverly calls on countries to reject Putin's 'sham' referenda in Ukraine". Sky News . Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  41. ↑ "Britain readies sanctions in response to Iran supplying weapons in Ukraine". Reuters . 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  42. ↑ "New prime minister – latest: Sunak tight-lipped as he arrives in Westminster – as bookies say race all-but over". Sky News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  43. 1 2 Andersson, Jasmine (26 October 2022). "LGBT football fans told to be respectful at Qatar World Cup". BBC News . Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  44. 1 2 3 Pietsch, Bryan (26 October 2022). "Top U.K. diplomat tells LGBT World Cup fans to 'be respectful' in Qatar". The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  45. ↑ Mitib, Molly Hudson (26 October 2022). "James Cleverly accused of 'tone-deaf' advice to gay World Cup fans heading to Qatar". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  46. ↑ "Foreign Secretary James Cleverly criticised for saying LGBT football fans should 'respect' Qatar". Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  47. ↑ Stone, Jon (26 October 2022). "LGBT+ fans should be 'respectful' of Qatar during World Cup, UK foreign secretary says". The Independent . ISSN   1741-9743. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  48. ↑ Landale, James (23 November 2022). "Qatar has taken 'real steps' for safety of gay fans, says foreign secretary". BBC News . Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  49. ↑ Swinford, Steven (12 December 2022). "James Cleverly says Saudis are our strategic partners despite human rights concerns". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  50. ↑ Almås, Gry Blekastad (5 December 2022). "Tente ny norsk julegran – spøkte med Trafalgar-treet". NRK (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  51. ↑ Cordon, Gavin (17 January 2023). "US and UK vow to maintain support for Ukraine 'for as long as it takes'". The Independent . ISSN   1741-9743. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  52. ↑ Diver, Tony (29 April 2023). "James Cleverly: Dealing with China is not a comfortable chit chat over tea and biscuits". The Daily Telegraph . ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  53. ↑ McGrath, Dominic (11 December 2022). "China can be a 'partner for good', says Cleverly ahead of major speech". The Independent . ISSN   1741-9743. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  54. ↑ Stacey, Kiran (19 July 2023). "James Cleverly makes public appeal to keep job as foreign secretary". The Guardian . ISSN   1756-3224. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  55. ↑ Morton, Becky (30 August 2023). "James Cleverly visits Beijing as MPs criticise China strategy". BBC News . Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  56. ↑ Grills, George; Scott, Geraldine (30 August 2023). "James Cleverly visits Beijing in appeal for Chinese investment". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  57. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (29 August 2023). "UK foreign secretary to challenge China over support for Russia in Ukraine war". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  58. ↑ "British foreign secretary says Türkiye is 'indispensable partner' to UK". Anadolu Agency. 14 September 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  59. ↑ "'I'm here to show solidarity to Israeli people,' says Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during visit to Israel". Sky News. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  60. ↑ "Foreign Secretary says Government favours 'humanitarian pause' over ceasefire". The Independent. 8 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  61. ↑ Joshi, Josh Salisbury, Nicholas Cecil, Jitendra (13 November 2023). "Suella Braverman sacked as Rishi Sunak Cabinet reshuffle under way". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  62. ↑ "Ministerial appointments: November 2023". GOV.UK. UK Government. 14 November 2023. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  63. ↑ "James Cleverly admits calling Labour MP 'unparliamentary' word". BBC News. 23 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023. Mr Cunningham had asked: "Why are 34% of children in my constituency living in poverty?" ... Making a point of order in the Commons later that day, he said: "Before the prime minister answered, the home secretary chose to add in his pennyworth. He was seen and heard to say 'because it's a shithole'.
  64. ↑ Topping, Alexandra (24 December 2023). "James Cleverly facing calls to resign after joke about date rape drug". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  65. ↑ Badshah, Nadeem (23 December 2023). "James Cleverly apologises for 'appalling' date rape drug joke at No 10 event". The Observer . ISSN   0029-7712. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  66. ↑ "Braintree Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  67. ↑ Morton, Becky (8 July 2024). "Sunak names new top team as Lord Cameron resigns". BBC News . Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  68. ↑ Seddon, Paul (23 July 2024). "James Cleverly running for Conservative leadership". BBC News . Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  69. ↑ "James Cleverly becomes first to enter Tory leadership contest". ITV News . 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  70. ↑ MP, James Cleverly (30 September 2024). "James Cleverly: How I will reform our party to get back to winning ways". Conservative Home. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  71. ↑ Stacey, Kiran (4 September 2024). "Priti Patel knocked out of Tory leadership contest in first round". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  72. ↑ Dilnot, Giles (10 September 2024). "STRIDE ELIMINATED ON THE SECOND BALLOT". ConservativeHome . Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  73. ↑ "Cleverly ahead in Tory race, as Tugendhat voted out". BBC News. 8 October 2024.
  74. ↑ "Tory leadership race: James Cleverly knocked out - leaving Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch as final two facing party membership vote". Sky News. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  75. ↑ "How Jenrick's team tricked five Cleverly supporters to reach Tory leadership last two". The Independent. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  76. ↑ "Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch to face off in final Tory leadership vote". The Independent. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  77. ↑ Balls, Katy (2 November 2024). "What Kemi Badenoch's victory means for the Conservatives". The Spectator.
  78. ↑ "Cleverly rules out frontbench role under new Tory leader". BBC News. 1 November 2024.
  79. ↑ Jureidini, Ben (20 June 2024). "Here come the girls: Tory WAGs Akshata Murty, Lucia Hunt, and Susie Cleverly take to the campaign trail". Tatler. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  80. ↑ Stephens, Max (23 June 2024). "James Cleverly celebrates wife being two years cancer-free". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  81. ↑ Rayner, Gordon (27 August 2022). "How Liz Truss's Cabinet could look: Who's in and who's out?" . The Daily Telegraph . ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  82. ↑ Nimmo, Jamie (5 September 2021). "The curious past of the West Ham bid team". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  83. ↑ Carter, Gus (28 September 2022). "In defence of Warhammer". The Spectator . ISSN   0038-6952. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022. It turns out the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, is a fan. His private YouTube channel is dedicated to following expert miniatures painters. In 2012, he tweeted out a video on how to paint Astorath the Grim, high chaplain of the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter.
  84. ↑ Perraudin, Frances (November 2015). "Tory MP reveals he smoked marijuana and watched online porn". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  85. ↑ "No. 60031". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 January 2012. p. 782.
  86. ↑ "James Cleverly AM". Old Bexley & Sidcup Conservatives. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  87. ↑ King, Ceri (8 October 2019). "ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 8TH OCTOBER 2019" (PDF). The Privy Council Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
Civic offices
Preceded by Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
2012–2016		Succeeded by
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Braintree
2015–present		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union
2019		Position abolished
Preceded by Minister without portfolio
2019–2020		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa
2020–2021		Succeeded by
Himself
as Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa and North America
Preceded by
Himself
as Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa 		Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America
2021–2022		Succeeded by
Preceded byas Minister of State for Europe Minister of State for Europe and North America
2022		Succeeded byas Minister of State for Europe
Preceded by Secretary of State for Education
2022		Succeeded by
Preceded by Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
2022–2023		Succeeded by
Preceded by Home Secretary
2023–2024		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Home Secretary
2024		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party
2018–2019		Succeeded by
Preceded by Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party
2019–2020
Served alongside: Ben Elliot 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.