James Cleverly has become the latest Tory big beast to rule out serving on the new leader’s front bench.
The shadow home secretary said he did not want to be ‘boxed back into a narrow band’ after being ‘liberated’ by his own bid for the top job.
Mr Cleverly was seen as the favourite to take over from Rishi Sunak until his shock eviction in the final round of voting by MPs last month.
The decision to step aside, revealed in comments to the Financial Times, will spark speculation that he is positioning for another tilt should Mr Sunak’s replacement Kemi Badenoch crash and burn.
Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt has also declared he will be taking a break from frontline politics.
James Cleverly has become the latest Tory big beast to rule out serving on the new leader’s front bench
Tory members chosen Kemi Badenoch (pictured) as the new chief over Robert Jenrick
‘We had a big drubbing in the election. I think we have to be humble and reflect on that and show new faces to the country,’ he told Sky News this week.
‘And you know, politics is a rough game, but I’m not complaining.
‘So for the next few years, at least, I will be stepping back from the frontbench.’
Former Deputy PM Oliver Dowden announced his own departure from the Tory senior team in his final clash with counterpart Angela Rayner last month.
His valedictory tone fuelled rumours that he could even step down from the Commons, with ex-Cabinet veteran Grant Shapps said to be eyeing a comeback at a by-election.
Rishi Sunak has moved to quash similar speculation about his own intentions, laughing off claims he is planning to move to California and become a tech executive.
In his final appearance at PMQs last week he said: ‘I’m happy to confirm reports that I will now be spending more time in the greatest place on earth where the scenery is indeed worthy of a movie set, and everyone is a character.
‘That’s right, if anyone needs me, I will be in Yorkshire.’
This morning former environment secretary Steve Barclay said he will not be seeking a job on the front bench.
Ex-Cabinet minister John Glen is also expected to take a step back.
Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt has also declared he will be taking a break from frontline politics
Former Deputy PM Oliver Dowden announced his own departure from the Tory senior team in his final clash with counterpart Angela Rayner last month
Mr Cleverly had been expected to make the final two of the leadership election after topping the ballot in the penultimate round of MP voting.
But he slipped to a shock third place in the final round, leaving the party members the choice of Ms Badenoch or Robert Jenrick.
MPs were blamed for trying to be ‘too clever’ by engaging in tactical voting to engineer who else was in the final two.