After being a frontrunner in the Conservative leadership race, James Cleverly has announced that he will not take a frontbench position in the new shadow cabinet under the next Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick. Citing a newfound freedom after 16 years on the frontline, Cleverly expressed a desire to return to the backbenches. Despite initial support at the Conservative conference, he was eliminated in the final voting round with 37 votes, just behind the other candidates. Cleverly’s departure marks a notable shift in the party’s reshuffling plans.