James Cleverly to run for Conservative party leadership

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly has said he is running to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.

The Braintree MP announced his candidacy on social media on Tuesday evening.

The former foreign and home secretary said the Conservatives needed to “re-establish our reputation as the party who, in government, helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams, and their aspirations”.

He added: “We can only do this as a united party, focused on the needs of the British people.”

Cleverly is the first member of the Conservatives to announce they are running to become the next leader.

It comes after the party announced it would hold a three-month leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak by November.

Sunak has said he will remain as acting leader until a successor is elected.

Mr Cleverly was widely expected to join the race to become Tory leader.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Of course, I and a number of other people have thought about the future of our country, have thought about the contribution of the party and our personal contribution to those things.

“Of course, I don’t think I’m alone in having given that serious thought.

“I’ve always believed, to do the job that you’re meant to be doing when you’re meant to be doing it. And when I was in government I focused on delivering in government. Now I’m in opposition, my focus, particularly today, is to hold the Labour Party to account.”

Russel Findlay became the first MSP to enter the race to place Douglas Ross as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

The former crime journalist was widely expected to run for the position and has already been backed by several of his colleagues at Holyrood.