I support James Cleverly because we need a “normal” leader

If we fail, we risk pushing even more voters into the arms of fringe parties that have become a dumping ground for the votes of the dissatisfied.

I am optimistic that we can get out of this situation, but only if we elect the right leader; Someone who can rebuild our party and ensure we offer voters a solid, principled alternative – not just until the next general election, but in all electoral tests in between, starting with the local elections in May.

I have been carefully watching and listening as this leadership campaign unfolds to decide who is best suited for this role.

For me, James Cleverly has shown that he is the one who will take us forward.

Someone who can assemble a unified team from all parts of our group and get on with the work. Less talking, more action. We don't have time to waste.

James is undoubtedly the most experienced candidate, having served as party leader, foreign secretary and home secretary.

He led CCHQ when we won the decisive election victory in 2019 that enabled Boris Johnson to break the interminable Brexit deadlock.

He led international support for Ukraine and took immediate action to reduce migration rates.

But it was his speech at the Conservative Party conference last week that tipped the scales for me.