James Cleverly, the Shadow Home Secretary, has announced that he will not accept a frontbench position from the new leader of the Conservative Party, who will be revealed on Saturday. The two candidates vying for leadership, Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, are expected to implement a swift reshuffle of their top team once elected. However, Cleverly has expressed his intention to return to the backbenches instead of serving in either candidate’s shadow cabinet.

Cleverly was initially seen as a strong contender to take over from Rishi Sunak but was unexpectedly eliminated in an early October vote by his fellow MPs. He shared with the Financial Times that he feels “liberated” after spending 16 years on the political frontlines and is currently not inclined to return to a constrained role. His rise in the leadership race was bolstered by a positive reception at the Conservative Party conference in September, though his support waned in subsequent rounds as MPs shifted their votes to shape the final candidates.

The outcome was disheartening for Cleverly, who described it as a “bit of a punch to the gut.” Despite his warnings to supporters about the unpredictability of political dynamics—what he referred to as “Kremlinology”—they continued to inquire about his preferred opponent. After Badenoch and Jenrick emerged as the frontrunners, both suggested they might offer him roles in their shadow cabinets if they were successful.

Badenoch praised Cleverly’s campaign for its “energy, ideas, and optimism,” expressing a desire to collaborate with him moving forward. Jenrick also encouraged Cleverly to be part of his leadership team, stating that his presence would be valuable for the party’s future.

While Jenrick has made leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) an essential part of his platform—requiring all Tory MPs to support this initiative—Cleverly has distanced himself from this proposal. Nevertheless, his time on the backbenches may not be permanent; he has hinted at a potential future bid for Conservative leadership and has not dismissed aspirations for becoming Mayor of London in 2028. He emphasized the need for the party to regain support in London and other critical areas across the country. Meanwhile, David Goldstone, an executive with experience in significant projects like the Olympics and HS2, noted that Badenoch might need to adjust her combative approach as she navigates her leadership campaign.