Swagger and Punchlines: Cleverly Dominates in Round Two of Tory Leadership Debates

In the latest round of Conservative leadership discussions, 'Macho man' delivered some strong hits against 'Ozempic man.' Based on a display of assured and bold demeanor, Mr. Cleverly appears to be positioning himself as a strong contender for one of the top two spots in the final vote among Tory members.

Senior political reporter @joncraig

Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 7:

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

Following the appearances of the "elite" Tom Tugendhat and the "blue-collar" Kemi Badenoch, it was time for the "Ozempic man" and "macho man" to take the stage.

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Robert Jenrick, after using a weight loss medication for six weeks, altered his eating habits, engaged in regular exercise, and shed four stone. He faced off against the robust and formidable James Cleverly, known for doing press-ups as a leisure activity.

Based on his assertive and impressive showing, Mr. Cleverly appears to be positioning himself as a frontrunner, likely to be one of the last two contenders vying for leadership in the ultimate vote among Conservative Party members.

Referring indirectly to Mr. Jenrick, the individual labeled as "macho man" launched multiple criticisms at someone he dubbed "Ozempic man." He confidently declared to the listeners that he was the only successful choice and emphasized that selecting any of the other three contenders as Rishi Sunak's successor would be a mistake.

Mr. Jenrick, polished and well-prepared from media training, took the lead and revealed that his second daughter, Sophia’s middle name is Thatcher, in tribute to the year of Mrs. Thatcher's passing.

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While Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have captured significant media attention, James Cleverly is emerging as a key figure to keep an eye on.

Tugendhat expresses dismay over Jenrick incorporating a video clip of a fellow soldier, who passed away shortly after serving together, in his campaign material.

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Indeed, it's true. The audience, which greatly admired Thatcher, was audibly shocked. Was this actually happening? It seems so.

However, Mr. Jenrick managed to lighten the mood with a humorous jab at Sir Keir Starmer. He shared that his daughter had 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 gifts should he rise to a leadership position, he appeared taken aback. Reluctantly, he admitted that he would have to decline them. This is a decision he might someday rue!

When later confronted with the same inquiry, Mr. Cleverly firmly dismissed it, exclaiming, "Yes, every now and then!" Clearly, the man is unapologetic!

Mr. Jenrick also delivered a witty remark when questioned about forming an alliance with Nigel Farage and Reform UK. He joked, "I don't believe the party's budget could cover the bar tab if we welcomed Nigel Farage back," he commented.

Upon being questioned about which of his Conservative peers he would enjoy watching on the BBC reality game show "The Traitors," he humorously 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 Conservatives. However, now that he is the editor of the Spectator magazine, he will likely get his payback through his writings.

Mr. Jenrick supported a brief leadership race, allowing the victor to challenge the October Budget and advocate for the reintroduction of grammar schools. All the contenders are in favor of grammar schools.

Next, there was a narrative about Mr. Jenrick's modest beginnings—something we've often heard from politicians. He asserted he was raised in a "working class background." Isn't that a common claim? (Clearly not for Tom Tugendhat, though.)

"Funds were limited in our family," Mr. Jenrick explained. "My parents left their jobs to start a small business, which initially struggled to succeed. I attended a public elementary school, and my grandfather passed away."

"My grandmother, despite not having a lot of money, chose to use her funds not on a cruise or other typical expenditures, but on sending my sister and me to a private school. It wasn't Eton, but rather Wolverhampton Grammar School."

He described it as a fundamentally Conservative narrative. "We must resist succumbing to envy-driven politics," he stated. "We ought to honor those who make such choices."

Then came Mr. Cleverly's turn, who walked onto the stage with the confidence of a heavyweight boxer stepping into the arena. His build, similar to that of a boxer, naturally contributes to his confident demeanor.

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He also shared his modest origins, mentioning that he attended a private school that was formerly a grammar school.

He then explained, "My parents could only manage the expense of tuition for one child, and that's the reason I don't have any siblings. Honestly, they made that sacrifice to ensure I could get an education."

Two students from a grammar school, supported by their family's sacrifices. Expect to hear more about their story 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 explained.

"My mother immigrated from Sierra Leone in West Africa in 1966, while my father's ancestors arrived from Northern France in 1066."

Mr. Cleverly, on the other hand, isn't known for his humility. He referred to his potential leadership as a when, not an if. Additionally, he frequently mentioned himself, using "I" nearly a hundred times in his hour-long stage appearance.

He started off by emphasizing to his listeners, "I stand alone as someone who has successfully managed a significant government department. Indeed, I am the only person here who has led two major government departments and achieved results in both."

"I stand alone as the former chairman of the Conservative party. Additionally, I'm the sole person here who has played a key role in securing a general election victory."

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He only made self-deprecating remarks when responding to two specific inquiries, particularly regarding his controversial jokes about the date rape drug Rohypnol. "I made a mistake," he admitted.

Additionally, when questioned about any potential secrets or scandals, he pointed to a 2015 interview where he confessed to viewing online pornography and using marijuana.

The criticism towards Mr. Jenrick was hardly veiled. "Being a Brexiteer has become quite trendy," he remarked. "I was supporting it before it became popular."

Regarding his resignation from the government due to the Rwanda policy, Mr. Jenrick stated, "I didn't avoid the issues; I addressed them."

Regarding Mr. Jenrick's choice to wear 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 powerful punches to his rival. He concluded with the statement, "When I'm in the final two."

Could this recent series of informal discussions be an indication of what's to come in the concluding rounds of the leadership race? Will Mr. Cleverly emulate David Cameron's remarkable success at the 2005 Conservative conference, where his compelling presentation catapulted him from a dark horse to the leading candidate?

As many attendees exited the venue, their reactions captured by Sky News highlighted a prevailing sentiment: “Cleverly nailed it,” numerous activists commented. While "macho man" might not have achieved a decisive victory over "Ozempic man," he undoubtedly triumphed in terms of scoring.

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