James Cleverly
Sir James Spencer Cleverly is a British politician and Army Reserve officer who has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government since July 2025. He previously served as Home Secretary from November 2023 to July 2024 and as Foreign Secretary from 2022 to 2023. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Braintree since 2015. He previously served as Education Secretary from July to September 2022, Chairman of the Conservative Party alongside Ben Elliot from 2019 to 2020, and in other junior ministerial positions.
Standing...
Stories...
Sep 30, 2026
Lean Right
As shadow home secretary, he has been attacking Labour's record on small boat crossings and law and order.
Tories praise his tough stance and see him as a potential future leader if Badenoch falters.
Sep 25, 2026
Center
Shadow Home Secretary, may comment on Channel migrant incident and protests.
Lib Dems will challenge any attempt to use the incident to justify harsher immigration policies.
Aug 31, 2026
Lean Left
Cleverly's departure from the shadow cabinet forced Badenoch to conduct a reshuffle, leaving the Tories in disarray.
Labour sees this as evidence that the Conservative Party is more focused on internal power struggles than governing for the country.
Aug 31, 2026
Far Left
The Conservative mayoral candidate said he would run a 'classically Conservative' campaign for London mayor, attacking Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham.
Green/Radical Left sees Cleverly's campaign as a continuation of austerity politics and a threat to progressive urban policies like housing and transport investment.
Aug 28, 2026
Lean Right
The shadow home secretary is trying to reposition the Tories on security and immigration, offering a counter to Labour's softer approach.
His leadership bid is seen as a more moderate option, but skeptics worry he lacks the mettle to take on the Right.
Aug 24, 2026
Lean Right
The Shadow Home Secretary is attacking the government over immigration figures and pushing for a binding cap on legal migration.
Conservatives see Cleverly as a strong voice reasserting the party's traditional law-and-order credentials, though some question his electability.
Aug 21, 2026
Lean Right
Shadow Home Secretary attacking Labour's record on crime and border security
Tories hope his firm stance will reestablish their traditional strengths
Aug 2, 2026
Lean Right
Shadow Home Secretary matching the government on border security and setting out Conservative alternatives on policing and migration.
Conservatives see him as a credible senior figure who can attack Labour from the centre-right without fueling Reform's insurgency.
Jul 25, 2026
Center
As Home Secretary, Cleverly faces scrutiny over the interception of a suspected car bomb near the Irish border and the police boat crash in London.
Lib Dems question Cleverly's handling of border security and emergency services funding, calling for stronger cross-party cooperation on Northern Ireland.
Jul 17, 2026
Lean Right
Shadow Home Secretary proposing a revised returns agreement with Rwanda and stronger enforcement against illegal working.
Seen as a more electable, pragmatic figure than some rivals, but still needs to prove his plan is deliverable.