London, 24 July 2024 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - James Cleverly has become the first to declare his candidacy in the race to replace former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservatives.

The shadow home secretary said he could "unite the Conservative Party and overturn Starmer's loveless landslide" as he made his opening pitch on Tuesday.

There will potentially be a crowded field in the contest as nominations in the contest open on Wednesday and Cleverly has acknowledged he is not the only hopeful giving it "serious thought".

In a post on social media, the shadow minister said he was running to "restore the confidence of the British people in us as a party" and "re-establish our reputation" as a party that "helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams and their aspirations".

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: "Over the next Parliament, we must not descend into the infighting, navel-gazing and the internecine manoeuvrings at Westminster that plagued us in government.

"In opposition we must be unified and disciplined, resolute in the job of holding the Labour Party to account on their promises."

Jostling is under way to replace Sunak as the Conservative Party attempt to rebuild in opposition after the General Election mauling.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman is widely expected to launch a bid to lead the party from the right and has warned the party must not become "a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks".

Earlier on Tuesday, she used a slot guest-hosting a radio programme to argue that "we had quite a centrist Conservative agenda" and that "identity politics got out of control" under Sunak.

"We need to be a party that's firm and credible on immigration," she told LBC listeners.

"We need to give some hope to the British people on taxation, robust on security and defence, and a real champion for common-sense British values. None of this divisive identity politics and woke nonsense. It really frustrates me that that has happened on our watch."

Braverman dodged a caller's question on whether she would throw her hat in the ring.

Other potential leadership contenders include shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, former home secretary Dame Priti Patel, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

A new leader will be elected on November 2. Nominations will open on Wednesday evening and close in the afternoon on July 29.

The parliamentary party will then narrow the field down to four, who will make their case at the Conservative Party Conference, which runs from September 29 to October 2.

The final two, picked by the parliamentary party, will then be voted on by Conservative Party members in an online ballot that will close on October 31. The result will be announced on November 2.

Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, said he was determined that the leadership debate be "respectful and thorough" and warned against the contest descending into "personal attacks".

Sunak, who will remain acting leader until a successor is appointed, has given his backing to the plans and said a "smooth and orderly transition" is in the "national interest".

Photo: EPA