Leadership hopeful fired up by Reagan

JAMES Cleverly wants to bring the spirit of Ronald Reagan to the Tory Party as he enters a critical week in his bid to become leader, he tells the Sunday Express today.

- David Williamson

He said he aspires to take the Conservatives back into power with the conviction, confidence, empathy and optimism which helped Reagan deliver landslide US presidential victories.

This week Tory MPs will decide which two of the remaining four candidates should be eliminated from the contest with the membership then getting to choose which one will lead the party of Thatcher and Churchill.

The former Foreign Secretary received a major boost at last week's conference when his speech won cheers and a standing ovation. And it led to the bookies slashing his odds from 10/1 to 7/2.

Mr Cleverly told the Sunday Express the conference was an "acid test" which proved he has what it takes to lead in the wake of the devastating election defeat.