James Cleverly’s surprising elimination from the Conservative Party leadership contest has left party members in shock and disappointment. Despite having the most votes from Tory MPs in a previous ballot, Cleverly was eliminated in the final round of voting, leaving Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick as the remaining candidates, both representing the hard right of the party.
Speculation abounds as to the reasons behind Cleverly’s elimination, with some suggesting that tactical voting played a role. Some MPs may have lent their votes to Cleverly only to withdraw them later, while others may have supported their second-favorite candidate, assuming Cleverly was safe. Calls for reform of the leadership contest rules have been made to prevent such outcomes in the future, with concerns raised about the seriousness of selecting a leader and potential future Prime Minister.
The decision to eliminate Cleverly is expected to have implications for Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, as the remaining candidates are leaning further into right-wing policies. Badenoch has hinted at major changes to the devolution settlement, while Jenrick has campaigned on removing the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights.
Findlay’s response to the news was subdued, stating that the outcome remains to be seen. The unexpected turn of events in the leadership contest highlights the complexities and uncertainties of political processes, with implications for the future direction of the Conservative Party and its leadership.