James Cleverly most feared by Labour to become next Tory leader
by Anna Mikhailova · Mail OnlineMinisters say James Cleverly is the candidate they do not want as the next Tory leader.
'He's the most likely to appeal to moderate voters,' suggested one, while senior Government sources dismissed Kemi Badenoch as a threat to Labour, saying she is 'too divisive'.
Both are running to succeed Rishi Sunak, alongside Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat. The candidates will set out their stall to party members at the annual conference, which starts today.
Mr Jenrick is the bookmakers' favourite after topping a poll of Tory MPs, although allies of Ms Badenoch say she is the most popular with members, who will have the final say once the contest is whittled down to two.
But several Labour ministers have privately warned that Mr Cleverly is the only one who could gather enough public support.
'The general view is that for Labour, Cleverly is the one we wouldn't want,' a minister said.
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'All the candidates have tacked to the Right but of the four, he's the least extreme and the most likely to appeal to moderate voters.'
The source also said Mr Jenrick had lost credibility by abandoning his 'moderate' roots and 'tacking too far to the mad Tory Right'.
Another senior Labour MP, though, believes Ms Badenoch poses 'the biggest threat' – in the Commons and in marginal, Brexit-voting seats.
He said: 'In the Chamber, Kemi will do well against Keir.'
The new leader is due to be chosen on November 2.
However, senior Conservatives are in talks to cut short the contest, so the winner is in post for Rachel Reeves's first Budget.
Rival camps have been accusing each other of 'dirty tricks', including claims that Mr Jenrick's allies will lend votes to Mr Cleverly to keep Ms Badenoch out of the final two.
Last night Mr Cleverly said his party needed to 'end the Tory psychodrama' that had damaged it for so long.
Former leader William Hague, who gave members a vote in the leadership contest, called for the rules to revert to MPs making the decision.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Lord Hague said: 'It would be better if the decision was in the hands of MPs because the party membership has become so small.'