## Conservative Party Faces Urgent Need for Renewal, Says Former Minister
The Conservative Party must rapidly reassess its approach and reconnect with the electorate if it hopes to regain power, according to former Cabinet minister Sir James Cleverly. In an exclusive interview with GB News, Cleverly emphasized the urgency of this situation following recent election losses.
He acknowledged the rising popularity of Reform UK, praising leader Nigel Farage as “one of the best political communicators of our generation,” while simultaneously stating that Farage doesn’t offer solutions aligned with current voter concerns.
“Part of the reason we lost is that there’s a disconnect between what many voters feel and what they perceive from us,” Cleverly stated, using the term “brand” as shorthand for this issue. He criticized the party’s language, noting how politicians often adopt peculiar jargon disconnected from everyday conversation. As an example, he cited the overuse of phrases like “deeply concerned,” questioning their effectiveness.
Addressing Disillusionment and Reconnecting with Voters
Cleverly stressed that the Conservative Party needs to “lick its wounds” and fundamentally rethink its strategy for the future. He warned against solely focusing on Reform UK, arguing it’s a symptom of deeper issues. “If we address the reasons why people are turning to Reform, we don’t then need to respond to Reform itself,” he explained.
He identified widespread disillusionment with the political class as a key factor and highlighted the particular disengagement among young men. “Why do they feel so disillusioned? Why aren’t we answering their questions?” Cleverly asked, emphasizing that finding solutions to these concerns is paramount rather than simply reacting to Reform’s policies.
He pointed to similar trends in other mature democracies – including Germany, the United States, France, Holland and Belgium – where younger voters are increasingly polarizing and moving away from traditional center parties. “There’s a bigger issue than just Nigel Farage and one party,” he asserted.
Key Concerns Driving Disenchantment:
- Widespread disillusionment with the political class
- Specific disengagement among young men
- Polarization of younger voters across various democracies
Championing Healthcare Innovation and Personal Reflections
Beyond political strategy, Cleverly spoke candidly about his wife Susannah’s recent cancer diagnosis. This experience has fueled his desire to advocate for greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly for early detection and treatment.
“There’s a real opportunity to use AI…It’s really good at analyzing big data sets and pattern spotting, which is the key for very early diagnosis.”
He expressed disappointment with current government funding levels for AI-related cancer screening programs. “The government’s talking the talk but it’s missing opportunities,” he said.
Cleverly also shared his gratitude for the support of friends, family, and colleagues during this challenging time, particularly highlighting the strength and resilience of Liz Truss, whom he described as “absolutely brilliant” during her tenure as Foreign Secretary.
