Full text: James Cleverly’s party season speech

To Dean’s Yard, for the second best party of the summer season. The Tory establishment assembled last night for ConservativeHome’s annual bash, hosted in the shadow of Westminster Abbey. It was this august event which kicked off last year’s summer madness: a point not lost on this year’s star speaker. James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, took to the lectern to deliver a veritable tour d’horizon.

In a speech which encompassed everything from Ukraine and the Spanish Civil War to Jeremy Corbyn and Joseph Bazalgette, Cleverly riffed on music festivals, London refuse policy and even ConHome’s sponsors WaterUK and the RSPB. ‘Nobody is expecting tonight’s speech to be the starting gun for a leadership campaign’ said Cleverly in his 16-minute address. But for those thinking of backing the Essex MP in a future contest, Mr S is happy to transcribe his speech in full:

Paul, thank you, thank you very, very much.