Macho Man Cleverly Dominates Ozempic Man Jenrick in Spirited Tory Leadership Debate

'Alpha male' strikes 'Ozempic man' in the second round of Conservative leadership discussions

Based on a display of bold confidence, Mr. Cleverly appears to be positioning himself among the top two contenders vying for leadership in the ultimate vote by Conservative members.

Senior political reporter @joncraig

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 7:04

The second session of the Conservative leadership informal discussions took place.

Following the appearances of the affluent Tom Tugendhat and the blue-collar Kemi Badenoch, the spotlight shifted to the "Ozempic man" and the "macho man."

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Robert Jenrick, who underwent a six-week regimen with a weight loss medication, altered his diet, engaged in regular exercise, and shed four stone, was up against the robust, barrel-chested James Cleverly, known to do press-ups as a leisure activity.

Based on this display of assertive and bold behavior, Mr. Cleverly appears to be positioning himself as a strong contender for one of the top two spots in the ultimate leadership showdown, decided by Tory members in the final vote.

Referring indirectly to Mr. Jenrick, the individual labeled as "macho man" launched multiple criticisms at the person he dubbed "Ozempic man." He confidently assured the gathering of his victorious status, emphasizing that choosing any of the other three contenders as Rishi Sunak's successor would be a mistake.

Mr. Jenrick, polished and clearly well-prepared for the media, was the first to speak, revealing that he chose Thatcher as the middle name for his second daughter, Sophia, in honor of the year Mrs. Thatcher passed away.

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While Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have captured much attention, James Cleverly is the figure drawing considerable interest.

Tugendhat expressed dismay that Jenrick incorporated a clip in his campaign video featuring a soldier he had served alongside, who tragically passed away shortly thereafter.

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Indeed, it's true. The audience, who greatly admired Thatcher, was audibly shocked. Could this actually be the case? It seems so.

Mr. Jenrick lightened the mood with a humorous jab at Sir Keir Starmer. He shared that his daughter inquired whether he would receive complimentary Taylor Swift tickets should he ascend to leadership. "No, that perk is reserved for Labour Party leaders," he quipped.

When Christopher Hope asked him if he would reject complimentary offers should he ascend to leadership, he appeared taken aback. Reluctantly, he admitted that he would have to agree. This is a decision he might come to rue!

When later posed the same inquiry, Mr. Cleverly dismissed it outright. "Yes, occasionally!" he exclaimed. The man is utterly unapologetic!

Mr. Jenrick also shared a humorous remark when questioned about a potential agreement with Nigel Farage and Reform UK. He quipped, "I don’t believe the party’s budget could cover the bar tab if we let Nigel Farage return," he stated.

When questioned about which Conservative peer he'd want to participate in the BBC reality show "The Traitors," he jokingly responded, "Michael Gove has exited Parliament!"

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This week in Birmingham, Mr. Gove has become the target of numerous jokes among the Tories. Now that he's become the editor of the Spectator magazine, he's likely to get his payback in his forthcoming columns.

Mr. Jenrick supported a brief leadership race to enable the new leader to challenge the October Budget and endorsed the reintroduction of grammar schools, a policy favored by all candidates.

Next, there was a tale regarding Mr. Jenrick's own modest beginnings, a narrative commonly echoed by today's political figures. He asserted that he was raised in a "working class background." Isn't that a familiar claim? (Of course, Tom Tugendhat is an exception.)

"Finances were really strained at home," stated Mr. Jenrick. "Both my parents left their jobs to start a small business, which initially struggled to succeed. I attended a public primary school, and my grandfather passed away."

"My grandmother, despite not having a lot of money, chose to use what she could have spent on a cruise or other luxuries to pay for private schooling for my sister and me. It wasn't a prestigious place like Eton; it was Wolverhampton Grammar School."

He described it as "a fundamentally Conservative narrative." "We must always resist the politics of envy," he stated. "We should honor those who make such choices."

Next, Mr. Cleverly made his entrance, walking onto the stage with the confidence of a heavyweight boxer stepping into the arena. Naturally, his build is quite similar to that of a boxer, which certainly contributes to his confident demeanor.

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He also shared the story of his modest origins, revealing that he attended a private school that was formerly a grammar school.

He explained, "My parents were only able to pay for one child's schooling, so I have no siblings. Honestly, that was the sacrifice they made for my education."

Two students from a grammar school were supported financially by their family's sacrifices. We can expect to learn more about their stories during their major addresses on the last day of the conference.

Later, Mr. Cleverly humorously shared his family background, eliciting laughter from the audience. "Both sides of my family are made up of migrants," he revealed.

"My mother migrated from Sierra Leone in West Africa in 1966, and my father's ancestors arrived from northern France in 1066."

Mr. Cleverly, on the other hand, isn't known for his modesty. He referred to his potential leadership in terms of "when I'm leader," instead of "if." Additionally, he doesn't hesitate to focus on himself. During his hour-long stage appearance, he probably used the word "I" close to 100 times.

He started by pointing out to his listeners, "I am the sole person here who has successfully managed a major governmental department. Actually, I'm the only one who has led two major departments and achieved results in both."

"I stand alone as the former chair of the Conservative party. Additionally, I played a key role in securing a victory in a general election."

Discover More: Tory Leadership Contest: Robert Jenrick Nearly Catches Up to Kemi Badenoch, According to Survey. Jenrick Reaffirms Claim That SAS Prefers Killing Over Capturing Terrorists Because of European Convention on Human Rights.

When asked about his controversial remarks regarding the date rape drug Rohypnol, he admitted his error. "I made a mistake," he acknowledged.

Additionally, when questioned about any potential past indiscretions, he pointed to a 2015 interview where he confessed to having viewed online pornography and used marijuana.

Subsequently, the criticism towards Mr. Jenrick became more overt. "Being a supporter of Brexit has become quite trendy," he commented. "I was advocating for it long before it gained popularity."

Regarding Mr. Jenrick's departure from the government due to the Rwanda policy, he stated, "I don't flee from issues; I address them."

Regarding Mr. Jenrick sporting a hoodie emblazoned with "Hamas are terrorists," he commented, "I believe it was Margaret Thatcher who once noted, 'You don't have to wear a T-shirt to demonstrate your principles.'"

Yikes! The heavyweight delivered several impactful punches to his rival. He concluded with the statement, "When it's down to us final two."

Did this latest installment of the fireside chats hint at what’s to come in the last pair of the leadership debates? Will Mr. Cleverly replicate David Cameron’s 2005 Conservative conference success, where his impressive display catapulted him from dark horse to leading contender?

As numerous attendees exited the venue, their feedback to Sky News was clear: "Cleverly nailed it." Although the individual referred to as "macho man" didn't quite deliver a decisive defeat to "Ozempic man," he evidently triumphed in terms of scoring points.

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