Robert Jenrick has said he would appoint James Cleverly as deputy leader of the Conservative Party if he wins the race to succeed Rishi Sunak.
Jenrick also urged his leadership rival, former business secretary Kemi Badenoch, to make the same commitment to ensure the party is united after the contest.
In recent weeks, the former immigration minister has vowed to promote a series of senior Conservatives if he is elected as party leader on 2nd November. Earlier this month, Jenrick said he would make ex-cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg Conservative chairman in one of his “first acts as leader” so he can “truly reform and democratise our party.”
Jenrick has also insisted he would welcome the returns of Boris Johnson and Penny Mordaunt — though neither the ex-prime minister nor erstwhile leader of the commons have endorsed Jenrick this leadership election.
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Contemplating the possible mechanisms for a Mordaunt comeback in a piece for ConservativeHome, Jenrick said this could come about “either via a by-election if she was willing, or in leading a campaign against Labour.”
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Jenrick has claimed that promoting a host of high profile Conservatives would help “end the drama that has characterised” his party in recent years.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning, the former cabinet minister added: “I want to ensure that we look more professional and competent and calmer and be soberly addressing the big challenges facing the country, as well as bringing the most talented people back into the Conservative Party.
“I have said that, for example, whoever wins this leadership contest, James Cleverly should be deputy leader of the Conservative Party so that there is a sense that the Conservative family is coming back together, uniting and putting on a much stronger approach to the public again.”
Cleverly was knocked out of the Conservative leadership contest in the final round of MP voting earlier this month in what was widely regarded as a shock development.
The former home secretary won the support of only 37 colleagues, meaning he was overtaken both by Badenoch (42) and Jenrick (41). The vote saw his number of supporters drop by two MPs from the previous round.
Reacting to his elimination at the time, Cleverly reflected that it “wasn’t to be”. In a post to X/Twitter, he said: “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received on this campaign from colleagues, party members and the public.
“Sadly it wasn’t to be. We are all Conservatives, and it’s important the Conservative Party unites to take on this catastrophic Labour government.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on X/Twitter here.
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