Cleverly hits out at populist ‘fantasy' amid London mayor bid speculation
Sir James also declined to explicitly rule out a bid for City Hall or another run for the party leadership as he was questioned about his political future following his defeat in the contest to replace Rishi Sunak last year.
But he said he had 'reconciled' himself with the result of the 2024 Tory leadership race and said the party should stop 'cycling through leaders'.
Appearing at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank on Tuesday, the senior backbencher called for greater accountability in politics by reducing the 'cloud of quangos' in the system.
Sir James said the 'go-to excuse for populist politicians' is to pretend 'difficult choices and trade-offs don't exist' and attack the Civil Service.
'I have lost count of the number of political gurus who said we should smash the system and start again from scratch,' he told the audience.
'Tempting though that may be, it is totally unrealistic, because all we need to do to deliver that is mobilise the alternative, anti-woke, right-wing civil service that's waiting in the wings to take things over when the Civil Service that we currently have is got rid of.
'Simple. It's also a fantasy. It's a complete nonsense. It's excuse-making, and it's weak.'
Instead, he said further action was needed to tackle the 'tangle of quangos, commissioners, panels advisory bodies, all making decisions, almost none of whom have been voted for, and none of whom can be voted out.'
Delighted to welcome @JamesCleverly to @IPPR – he is arguing for more honesty and more accountability in politics. https://t.co/tZuKPDA5GC pic.twitter.com/z4Z0T8ApqU
— Harry Quilter-Pinner (@harry_qp) July 15, 2025
He warned a 'disconnect between decision-making and accountability' introduces 'moral hazard' and 'erodes the very institutions upon which we rely'.
In a Q&A following the speech, the former Cabinet minister insisted he had 'reconciled' himself to his defeat at the leadership election and would not 'jump' into his next career move as he faced questions about his future.
Asked whether he was eyeing a bid for London mayor, another run for the Tory leadership or planning to remain on the back benches, he said: 'I like being in government.
'I don't like being in opposition, which is why I'm clear that I will play my part in helping to get Conservatives back into government, at every level of government.
'Exactly what I do next? I've forced a discipline on myself which is not to jump at something.
'I ran for leader. I didn't get it. I reconciled myself to that and I promised myself that I would spend some time thinking about exactly what I would do next.
'I know everyone will write into that 'Cleverly refuses to discount dot dot dot' – nothing I can do about that, you're going to write what you're going to write.
'But the simple fact of the matter is, I am focused on what I've always focused on, which is getting a Conservative government at every level to serve the British people, and that's my mission.'
He sought to strike an optimistic note about the future of the Conservative Party as it flounders in the polls, arguing it is 'the oldest and most successful political movement in human history' because 'we adapt, we evolve, we fight back'.
Sir James acknowledged opinion poll momentum for Reform posed a challenge for the Tories, but insisted Nigel Farage's party faced its own dilemma in seeking to be both 'new' and 'a repository for disgruntled former Conservatives'.
The rise of Reform is not unique to the UK, @JamesCleverly tells @harry_qp.
"'Smash the system' is an excuse, it's an easy way of ducking the problem" he says. pic.twitter.com/me59ht1guh
— IPPR (@IPPR) July 15, 2025
The senior Tory said: 'If their sales pitch is 'we're not like the old political parties', but they are mainly populated with people from my party, it's going to be really hard for them to reconcile that sales pitch.'
He hit out at former party members defecting to Reform, adding: 'I don't think it's smart. I don't think it's right.
'I think people lose credibility, particularly with people who have… very, very recently (stood as Conservatives) who then basically say 'the thing that made me realise I wasn't really a Tory was being booted out of office by the electorate'.'
Reflecting on his Tory leadership bid and whether he still harboured ambitions for the top job, he said: 'We have got to get out of this habit of cycling through leaders in the hope that ditching this one and picking a new one will make life easy for us.'
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The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Returning James Cleverly hits out at ‘one man band' Reform: 'The British people deserve better'
Sir James Cleverly has branded Nigel Farage 's Reform UK a a 'one-man band' and warned voters that the party is nowhere near ready to govern. The former foreign and home secretary, who this week returned to the shadow cabinet, complimented Mr Farage as'funny', 'interesting' and 'a very good communicator'. However, Sir James said Reform UK falls short of credibility. 'The challenge he's got is that he's the only one in his party that you can describe in those terms,' Sir James told The Times. 'If you're going to be taken seriously as a party of government, that's nowhere near enough. As much as he's smart and funny and talented, he's not omnipresent.' Questioning Reform's ability to govern, the former home secretary said: 'Who are Farage's shadow chancellor, shadow home secretary and shadow defence secretary? The fact is he hasn't got any of them. 'That's nowhere near good enough to be taken seriously as an alternative party of government. The British people deserve better.' He added that Mr Farage 'crumbles' under scrutiny, particularly when pressed on the cost of his policies. Sir James's return came as part of Kemi Badenoch 's shake-up of her top team, which she described as reflecting the Conservatives ' 'mission of renewal' after their election defeat. The former foreign secretary will now shadow Angela Rayner on housing, communities and local government. Sir James served in senior Cabinet roles when the Conservatives were in power before spending months on the back benches after coming third in last year's Tory leadership contest. As an influential former minister, he has since warned against pursuing a populist agenda like Mr Farage's Reform UK. Sir James also reflected on a turbulent personal year, losing a close army friend, his brother-in-law, and his father. He explained why he stepped back after the leadership race. 'I did actually need a bit of time, a bit more time with Susie, a bit of time with the family,' he told The Times. Now back in the shadow cabinet, he urged the party not to 'throw a leader under the bus' amid speculation over Ms Badenoch's future. 'My strong advice is [that] our effort, our time, our energy, our focus, is much, much better directed at making sure Kemi succeeds as leader. Kemi won fair and square. She's got strong ideas, she is a staunch Conservative,' he said. Sir James insisted the Tories must 'be hunters, not farmers' to win back voters.
ITV News
10 hours ago
- ITV News
PM suggests UK will play role in Gaza aid airdrops amid mounting calls for Palestinian statehood
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested the UK will play a role in dropping aid into Gaza by air, as he faces calls from 221 cross-party MPs to recognise a Palestinian state. Israel said on Friday it will allow airdrops of aid by foreign countries into Gaza to alleviate starvation in the Palestinian territory. Starmer said the UK will 'do everything we can to get aid in via this route'. Meanwhile, he faces growing calls to recognise a Palestinian state immediately. Some 221 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents, have signed a letter calling on the government to take the step at a UN meeting next week. France's president Emmanuel Macron announced his nation would formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, leading UK politicians to question whether the British government would follow suit. US President Donald Trump suggested Macron's announcement 'doesn't matter' as he left America for a visit to Scotland. But Sarah Champion, the senior Labour MP who organised the letter by parliamentarians, said recognition 'would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people'. Other senior Commons figures who signed the letter include Labour select committee chairs Liam Byrne, Dame Emily Thornberry and Ruth Cadbury. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as Tory former minister Kit Malthouse, and Sir Edward Leigh – Parliament's longest-serving MP – also signed it. The majority of those who have signed, 131, are Labour MPs. In a video statement released on Friday, Starmer made plain his desire for a ceasefire in the war. He said: 'I know the British people are sickened by what is happening. The images of starvation and desperation are utterly horrifying. 'The denial of aid to children and babies is completely unjustifiable, just as the continued captivity of hostages is completely unjustifiable.' Signalling the UK is willing to help get aid into Gaza via air, the prime minister added: 'News that Israel will allow countries to airdrop aid into Gaza has come far too late, but we will do everything we can to get aid in via this route. 'We are already working urgently with the Jordanian authorities to get British aid on to planes and into Gaza.' Children who need specialist medical treatment will be evacuated from Gaza to the UK, Starmer added. He also called for an international coalition to 'end the suffering' in Gaza, similar to the coalition of the willing aimed at helping Ukraine. Starmer had earlier responded to calls for the recognition of a Palestinian state, insisting such a move needed to be part of the 'pathway' to peace in the Middle East, which he and allies are working towards. He added: 'Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.' In a statement released on Friday alongside the leaders of France and Germany, the prime minister urged Israel to stop restricting the flow of aid into Gaza. Charities operating in Gaza have said Israel's blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing people there towards starvation, warning that they are seeing their own workers and Palestinians 'waste away'. The prime minister will meet the US president during his trip to Scotland, where he arrived on Friday evening. US-led peace talks in Qatar were cut short on Thursday, with Washington's special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a 'lack of desire to reach a ceasefire'. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The Herald Scotland
11 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Does anyone believe Starmer will grow a spine like Macron has?
Doug Maughan, Dunblane. In the name of God, go There have been many disturbing and distressing scenes in Gaza showing the effects of the profound upheaval on the people endeavouring to eke out an existence there. One would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by these scenes, particularly those involving women and children. A scene which particularly moved me recently was of a young mother, ill in bed in hospital, saying goodbye to her young daughter, who had already been made ready for her funeral. I am reminded of the words of Oliver Cromwell to the Rump Parliament and later used by Leo Amery to Neville Chamberlain: "In the name of God go." Today I would direct these words to all those responsible for the inhumanity and cruelty being inflicted upon the ill-used people of Gaza. Ian W Thomson, Lenzie. • Just last week, we heard about the gargantuan efforts of mostly working-class musicians, led by the incredibly tenacious Bob Geldof to help people, thousands of miles away, who were starving. All it took was a broadcast by Michael Buerk to make Bob spring into action. With the undoubted help of Midge Ure, they saved thousands of lives. We found out recently that even the normally hard-hearted Tory government contributed. Today, we know that people are being deliberately starved by a so-called democracy by the name of Israel. The governments of the world, with a few exceptions, are allowing this to happen. Shame on them. It is being left, once again, to the people to point out how very wrong this is. Be in no doubt, these are crimes against God and humanity. Jane Porteous, Kinross. The West is complicit In your recent article '[[Israel]] strikes kill at least 20 in [[Gaza]] as Lammy threatens more sanctions' (The Herald, July 23) the Foreign Secretary is quoted as saying he is 'appalled and sickened by [[Israel]]'s actions in [[Gaza]]'. I suggest that Israel's actions with regard to its treatment of the Palestinians will go down in history as an extreme example of the inhumanity of which we as a species are capable. Being halfway through the third decade of the 21st century, we apparently have made little progress in our 'moral evolution'. I wish to pass on some sentences from an article by Rabbi Noa Sattath, Executive Director of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel which I read in the liberal/left Israeli newspaper Haaretz (July 22): 'Israelis forget that human beings live in Gaza. If people aren't human beings, they can be starved, beaten and raped. We need to extricate ourselves from the moral abyss into which we have tumbled.' I suggest that the 'we' referred to in the immediately previous paragraph is not just the Israeli government but those countries in the West which have aided and abetted Benjamim Netanyahu in his genocide. One way of our making reparations to the Palestinians would be for the UK to take the lead in working towards the implementation of the two-state solution. John Milne, Uddingston. Read more letters Other dates to remember Disturbingly, much of our media continue to imply that the current conflict in Gaza had its origin on October 7, 2023. Along with "9/11" the date is a shorthand for attacks in which Americans and Israelis died. I challenge you to tell me what September 16 or April 13 or April 9 represent. Significantly, few of your readers will know but it is your duty to remind them of these dates. On April 9, 1948 the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin was attacked by the Irgun and other Zionist terrorists and 107 civilians killed. The rest were driven out in this early attempt at ethnic cleansing. On September 16, 1982 the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila in Lebanon were attacked by Lebanese fascists, assisted by Israeli forces and between 1,500 and 2,000 men, women and children were massacred. On April 13, 1996 Israeli aircraft attacked a village in South Lebanon, Mansouri, after ordering the inhabitants to evacuate. The volunteer ambulance driver packed his own family and his neighbours into the ambulance to flee. The ambulance was rocketed, with the death of all it occupants except the driver. I could go on. The list is endless. So you see that this horror did not begin on October 7, 2023 and, for the Palestinians, it continues and is likely to do so until they are eliminated. Our press could do the right thing and commemorate these anniversaries. unless it is only the lives of Americans and Israelis that matter. I beg you to do so. David Currie, Tarland. But why Troon? Feeling sympathy for the poor residents of Prestwick and Turnberry, we didn't expect that The Donald's visit to Ayrshire would bother us. We were wrong. Our usual walk through Troon this morning (July 25), past Donald Crescent incidentally, was blocked by police, who have set up camp at the local high school, necessitating a detour round its perimeter. Is nowhere immune to the disruption he causes? David Bruce, Troon. 1,000 years? So what? I agree that "we must focus on nuclear" (Letters, July 24) because the closer we look, the more obvious it is to see what a dangerous pig in a poke it is. Your correspondent Peter Wright claims that discarded turbine blades cannot be sent to landfill – and in the next line, tells us that in the USA they are buried. He states that we are a clever species who will be able to reduce the half-life of toxic nuclear waste but he believes that we are incapable of ever recycling turbine blades. He, rightly, points out that concrete bases for turbines produce a lot of CO2 but omits to highlight the megatons of concrete required to build a nuclear power station and even more for waste storage. He tells us that Hitachi is experimenting with a reactor that might be able to reduce the half-life of nuclear waste from 30,000 years to a mere 1,000. I wonder if he can name an institute, government, empire or supervisory body that has ever survived that long, or more importantly, one in the future that could monitor the safe storage for that length of time and even less likely, one to provide that service for the waste we have already produced, with a 30,000 year half-life. David Hay, Minard. A truly sad loss I was truly saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Jamie McGrigor ("Tributes to 'kind and dedicated' former Tory MSP McGrigor who has died at 75", The Herald, July 23). Jamie devoted so much of his life to public service – first as an MSP and later as a councillor for Argyll and Bute. But more than his titles or years of service, it was the way he carried himself that left a lasting impression on so many of us. Thoughtful, kind, and principled, Jamie was someone who brought both wisdom and compassion to everything he did. I had the real honour of working alongside him on Argyll and Bute Council. He was never interested in attention or praise – he simply got on with the job and always kept the people he served at the heart of every decision. In a world where politics can often feel cynical or performative, Jamie was the real thing: steady, sincere, and deeply committed to making life better for others. He will be missed – not just as a public figure, but as a colleague and a good man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and all those across our community who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Sir Jamie. Thank you for your service. Councillor Alastair Redman, Kintyre and the Islands ward, Islay. It's economics, not misogyny The lack of common sense, relativity and any basic understanding of how sponsors choose to invest their cash creates a spurious argument about gender injustice ("Fresh funding boost to resolve gender 'injustice' in Scottish golf", The Herald, July 24). All sports sponsorship is based on the value of brand exposure via the media and TV in particular. The whole assessment is based on viewing figures. Gender has nothing to with it. Indeed, the separation of male and female sports is, in itself, based on the belief that female sportswoman would struggle very badly to survive in any male version of a sport. Women's golf has made huge strides forward in the past 20 years, as has women's football. However, I headed along to Irvine this morning (July 24) to play at my course and passed by Dundonald Golf Club at around 9.30am. The Women's Scottish Open is being held there today. No traffic jams, no police directing traffic. Consider that compared to the men's event at the Renaissance Club recently. This is why TV put so much more cash into men's golf. It's economics, not misogyny. It's like trying to say the SPFL teams should be getting the same as English Premier League teams. It's just not possible. In order for women's golf or football to continue to grow it's essential that more women start to actually attend the tournaments and matches. If there were 20k people a day at the Women's Scottish Open then it wouldn't take long for TV to pump more cash in. The big objective for the leaders of women's sports is to increase attendances steadily over the next five years. That's common sense. John Gilligan, Ayr. Charlotte Laffar of England at the Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links (Image: PA) Pronoun problems This obsession amongst the vocal minority about which incorrect pronoun they must be referred to, in order to keep their thin skins intact, is becoming ridiculous. As previous contributors have noted, all grammatical sense sometimes goes out of the window. Remember Sam Smith and his aspiration to be a "fisherthem"? That suggests that those he would class as binary would be a "fisherhim" or "fisherher". (I shan't apologise for using the words "his" and "he" in the preceding sentences. To my mind, I'm not misgendering him. He's misgendering himself. In fact, the word "misgender" exists in neither my Chambers nor Oxford dictionaries). Brian Johnston, Torrance. Delayed reaction With the plight of the victims of the infected blood and Post Office scandals being recently highlighted once again, I have to, in my 79th year, agree that you are never past learning. MoD: it actually stands for Masters of Delay. The wretched Establishment at its best. Andrew Liddell, Banknock.
