The case for – and against – James Cleverly

When is the best time to hit the front of a Tory leadership contest? In the final chain of the final furlong after coming up unseen on the rails, obviously. As charismatic front-runners from Michael Heseltine to Michael Portillo have found out, Conservative leadership battles are brutal for the established heir apparent. There is something about the Tory tribe, or perhaps the Tory disposition, which creates a mania for dragging them down. It’s far safer to do a John Major and be christened as the best ‘Stop X’ or least-unpalatable-option candidate at the last by the party establishment.

So congratulations to James Cleverly for gaining momentum so deep into the current race. Kemi Badenoch had been seen as hot favourite for months, while Robert Jenrick may have thought his timing perfect when he displaced her in the betting a couple of weeks back. But both endured torrid times at the party conference.