Others are sceptical. Ross doesn’t think “James has what it takes to be Mayor”, citing his belief that Cleverly “lacks charisma”. Still, the idea has gained traction. “If James was interested, he would get a lot of support,” says Scott Pattenden, Chair of the London region. But, even if the Conservatives won the mayorship, that doesn’t change how much rests on the party’s leader, Badenoch. Can she really win? Though criticised by some, she retains broad support within the party. Fortune calls her “brave” and says, “Every time Kemi opens her mouth, something conservative comes out of it.”
