Politics

Who is James Cleverly and what is his stance on Brexit as he joins leadership race to replace Theresa May as PM


JAMES Cleverley is the 11th Tory to throw his name in the ring to try a grab the top job in the UK.

The Brexit minster announced on May 28, that he was vying for Theresa May’s job after she resigned on May 24, but who is he? Here’s what we know.

 James Cleverly is in the running to replace Theresa May

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James Cleverly is in the running to replace Theresa May

Who is James Cleverly?

James Cleverly is a 49-year-old politician from Lewisham, South East London.

He has been an MP since 2015, serving Braintree.

From 2006 to 2016, Mr Cleverly served at the Member of the London Assembly for Bexley and Bromley.

He has a wife named Susannah Janet Temple Cleverly and they have two sons, Freddy and Rupert.

What has Mr Cleverly said about being PM?

On May 28, he announced he will run for PM.

The former Tory deputy chair vowed to offer “something different and something new.”

And he hit out at those offering “artificially simple” solutions on leaving the EU.

Revealing his decision in his local Essex newspaper, the Braintree MP highlighted the fact he has backed Brexit from the start.

And he says: “I have never been blind to the complexities of the process and I have always been uncomfortable with those who offer artificially simple solutions.”

Making the case for change, he says: “To inspire the British people we need to look different, sound different and offer something new.

“I believe I can do that.”

A website campaign backing Mr Cleverly with the slogan “Let’s All Win” has been live for days.

What are Mr Cleverly’s views on Brexit?

The MP said not delivering Brexit would be “significantly more damaging” than leaving the EU without a deal.

His comments were made on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on May 29.

He added that a No Deal Brexit was “not my preferred outcome”.

Mr Cleverly also said the Tory party’s “political reputation would be damaged” if Brexit was not delivered.

He said: “The idea that we revert to a pre-referendum reality [if it does not happen] is for the birds.”

On the possibility of no deal, he insisted it would bring “uncertainty” and difficulty”, but would not be the end of the world.





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