James Cleverly selected for safe Tory seat

James Spencer Cleverly has always been a good catch for the Conservative party: educated, army background, career driven and now their parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Braintree.

Born in Lewisham Hospital, to a British father and a mother from Sierra Leone, Cleverly grew up with two working parents. His mother a midwife and his father a ‘successful local business(man)’.

Educated at both Riverston School and Colfe’s School, Cleverly embarked on following his family’s tradition of joining the army.

Unfortunately this ambition was soon cut short due to personal injury. Undeterred, he enrolled in territory education, gaining a bachelor in business from the University of West London and also joining the Territorial Army, where he was awarded the ‘Territorial Decoration’ for long service. Following this he moved into a career in magazine and digital publishing working on a number of market leading titles before moving into politics.

In his own words Cleverly describes himself as someone who has ‘always voted Conservative’. Having previously stood unsuccessfully in a number of elections for the London Borough of Lewisham; Cleverly was finally selected as the Conservative candidate for the Bexley and Bromley constituency of the London Assembly in a very tightly fought selection contest. He was re-selected in the same constituency in 2010.

In January 2009, Cleverly was appointed as the Mayor of London's Youth Ambassador, a newly created role which was seen as being a replacement post for the Deputy Mayor for Young People, a post left vacant after the resignation of Ray Lewis. The creation of this role caused some controversy, due to it not being filled by a mayoral appointment but by a member of the assembly whose formal role is to scrutinise the Mayor.

In February 2010, Cleverly was appointed as the Chairman of the London Waste and Recycling Board replacing Boris Johnson who stood down from the role at that point. After defeating Brian Coleman at the 2012 London elections he was appointed to the Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA). However he stood down from this role in January 2015, letting Boris Johnson know in his resignation letter that:

It has been an honour and a privilege to have served as Chairman since 2012."

Cleverly was selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Braintree on 13th January 2015, with his plans being made clear from the start:

I intend to make sure that Braintree sees the full benefit of the improving economy, that local businesses prosper, that young people get jobs and that the area gets its fair share of infrastructure investment."

This year’s general election will be a pivotal moment for both the Conservatives and Cleverly, as only time will tell if he is able to fulfil his political purpose.

Mirella Manhombo