James Cleverly announces candidacy for London mayor
Sir James Cleverly has confirmed his resignation from the shadow cabinet as he prepares to run for London mayor, emphasizing the need for strong leadership in the capital, reports BritPanorama.
The former foreign secretary and MP for Braintree stated that London requires “a champion, someone who understands its potential and is prepared to fight for its future.” In an op-ed for The Sunday Times, he announced, “I have told Kemi Badenoch that I will leave the shadow cabinet. Serving there has been a privilege, and I know there will continue to be strong voices around that table.”
Cleverly continued, “But to run the most effective campaign possible, I must be free to speak about every aspect of London’s future and concentrate fully on winning this race.” His resignation from the shadow cabinet will take effect immediately.
Labour mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is currently halfway through his third term and has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election in May 2028. In his op-ed, Cleverly expressed concern that Khan “saw City Hall as his springboard into No 10,” stating the mayor’s ambition appeared to have waned since Sir Keir Starmer took leadership of the Labour Party. Cleverly criticized the current state of London, claiming, “London’s reputation has been allowed to slip, at home and abroad, while too many of its problems have been left to fester.”
He further argued that London’s success is critical to the UK’s economic recovery, stating, “The route both to Britain’s economic recovery and to the next Conservative government runs through London.” Speculation regarding Cleverly’s candidacy has circulated for months, following his appointment as shadow minister for housing, communities, and local government last July.
His announcement leaves a vacancy in the shadow cabinet, which is expected to undergo an impending reshuffle by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch. Cleverly has previously held several ministerial roles under three prime ministers, including positions as home secretary and education secretary.
In addressing his potential candidacy, he asserted, “The Conservative Party, and London, needs a credible candidate with the experience and confidence to win. I know this city. I know the job. I know I can do it. And I know I can beat whoever Labour puts forward.”
He also criticized prime minister Andy Burnham, claiming he treats London “as a cash cow: somewhere to tax, regulate, raid and blame,” and lamented that other parties “simply amplify every criticism of the capital, talking it down without offering either a credible plan or showing any real desire to make things better.”
A source close to Badenoch remarked to The Sunday Times that she was “gutted” to lose Cleverly but pleased that someone of his experience wishes to become the Conservative nominee for mayor of London. The London Mayor’s office has been approached for comment.
