James Cleverly is running to be Mayor of London

I'm not impressed by his terrible, inappropriate gaffes. Inappropriate comment at a reception re date rape drug joke and spiking drinks, shortly after the Home Office spoke of tackling it. Inappropriate comments about Cambridge Uni using bragging rights about Jason Arday. I believe he called Stockton North a shithole straight after the severe poverty problems there were announced. He seems way to immature, at the very least.

He had a large majority sundowngirl, and is on his third term, so clearly a majority of voting Londoners do like him. He hasn’t confirmed yet whether he will be standing for a fourth term, but if he does it will be a battle.

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

As a Londoner born and bred and now living in an outer borough, I don’t know anyone who has a good word to say for him. He is very unpopular in outer London

The ULEZ that was introduced in these outer zones a couple of years ago has made little, if any, difference to the quality of the air here. I agree it made a difference to inner London but we have green fields and parks etc, similar to Surrey and Kent on our borders. It was totally unnecessary and it has made many small businesses go under including a friend and a neighbour. It was just a cash cow for the mayor!

I don’t think the important current battle is between the Tories and Labour, it’s between the Tories and Reform, and Tory big hitters are in short supply.

Perhaps he thinks it's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a large pond.

I suppose I think badenoch has tried to put some clear water between tories and labour on a range of issues, I find that less so with cleverly although occasionally he surprises me.

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.

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?

Badenoch is destroying the Tory party.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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