James Cleverly is running to be Mayor of London

Perhaps his aim is higher than leader. Being mayor of a major city is becoming a reliable path to becoming PM

It would be less controversial to hang in there though, I don’t think he’d have to wait too long, and he’d surely be the obvious choice? The next mayoral election isn’t until 2028, so presumably he’s ruling himself out of a Tory leadership bid.

I’ll be keeping everything crossed that he beats Sadiq Khan but I fear not

sundowngirl

I’ll be keeping everything crossed that he beats Sadiq Khan but I fear not

As a Londoner I believe Sadiq has been a great mayor. Just recently it was proved that ULEZ had lowered the dangerous emissions in the air in the capital. Most Londoners rate him pretty highly. And I suppose that is all that mattersz

Sorry don’t know where that z came from.

I’m surprised too. I rate Cleverly highly. I assume it will be difficult to beat Sadiq Khan, and then what a waste of a talented politician. Maybe he thinks even more difficult to shift Badenoch.o

But why would it be a waste, he may win, few years as mayor, tories have a few years to rebuild then bobs your uncle.

It’s more that he’s declared his hand now, and stood down from the shadow cabinet rather than holding his counsel, when the election is still two years away - and as they say, that’s a long time in politics.

Maybe he wants time to build his brand so to speak although I would have thought he could do that more effectively in shadow cabinet. Obviously it is hard to predict the future but personally I think badenoch is secure as leader for a while.

I think it is more a question of distancing himself from a political party that is failing without any clear direction.

Fallingstar

sundowngirl

I’ll be keeping everything crossed that he beats Sadiq Khan but I fear not

As a Londoner I believe Sadiq has been a great mayor. Just recently it was proved that ULEZ had lowered the dangerous emissions in the air in the capital. Most Londoners rate him pretty highly. And I suppose that is all that mattersz

My three children live in London and admire Sadiq - together with every London taxi driver I’ve ever spoken to!

I am not a Tory voter by any means but thought James Cleverly would have made an admirable Tory leader. He has a certain gravitas which Badenoch doesn’t have.

I dont really understand why he is popular to be honest, I mean on here, what do people like about him? I am fairly neutral about him but I wouldn't have thought he would be people's cup of tea.

Why do you say that Galaxy, I think most people recognise a high calibre politician, regardless of their personal political beliefs?

Galaxy

I dont really understand why he is popular to be honest, I mean on here, what do people like about him? I am fairly neutral about him but I wouldn't have thought he would be people's cup of tea.

I also don’t really have an opinion on him, he has never struck me as particularly note worthy, but in a political desert when it comes to half decent politicians I suppose he is okay.

I have never really thought of him as high calibre I suppose, not really to do with his beliefs. I think for all them ( Badenoch included) the legacy of the 14 year tory period is so difficult to overcome.

I agree that it will take some time, but I don’t think one’s opinion of individuals in a government which is failing, or successful is that they are ‘all the same’ - some of them garner more respect because of how they conduct business, themselves, and your perception of their integrity. As Ladyleftfieldlover said, perhaps a good description for it is gravitas.

Cleverly is a more moderate Tory - certainly more so than Badenoch - it is doubtful that Cleverly would be accepted as a candidate if he applied to the Tories at this time.

I prefer badenoch she has made some absolute horrendous misjudgements lately that I dont agree with but there is a bravery about her that I like.

Each to their own Galaxy - your brave is others’ foolhardy. I guess maybe that’s what it comes down to in the end for me, I prefer calmness, sense and authority.

I think she has got authority, saying the same as everyone else isnt calmness it is just more of the same, but yes each to their own . I think she is frequently immature as well if that helps.

sundowngirl

I’ll be keeping everything crossed that he beats Sadiq Khan but I fear not

So will I. I am a Londoner and live in Greater London now. I dont know anyone who likes him.
I certainly will not vote for him.

Badenoch is destroying the Tory party.

Galaxy

I think she has got authority, saying the same as everyone else isnt calmness it is just more of the same, but yes each to their own . I think she is frequently immature as well if that helps.

Which everyone else do you mean Galaxy, they are fragmented still I think, which may be why Cleverly is choosing to walk a different path - I don’t think he’s a Yes man?

I dont want the tory party to be a a slightly different version of the labour party. I think that was part of the problem.