James Cleverly, a candidate for the Conservative Party leadership, claims he is the candidate that Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK fear the most. Running on a platform of delivering results, effective communication, and relentless campaigning, Cleverly emphasizes his experience and his refusal to accept defeatism. He stresses his record as foreign secretary, his tough stance against Russia and China, and his unwavering support for Israel.
Cleverly promises to revive the party’s campaigning machine, eliminate candidate selection stitch-ups, and increase defence spending to 3% of GDP. He rules out a pact with Reform UK and highlights the Conservative Party’s achievements, from the abolition of the slave trade to equal marriage and Brexit. Cleverly also takes jabs at Labour and the Liberal Democrats, criticizing their policies and actions.
Drawing inspiration from his political hero Ronald Reagan, Cleverly advocates for selling the benefits of conservatism with a smile, emphasizing optimism and relatability. He shares personal setbacks in his life, including injuries that ended his regular army career and struggles in running a small business. Cleverly, who did not plan to run for leader, acknowledges his wife’s battle with cancer and the NHS’s role in saving her life.
In his speech to the Tory conference, Cleverly starts with an apology to party members on behalf of MPs, acknowledging their failures and pledging to do better under his leadership. A video featuring party members and supporters stresses Cleverly’s ability to unite the party and deliver on its mission to serve the British people.
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