James Cleverly has announced his intention to run for Mayor of London, resigning from his position as Shadow Housing and Local Government Secretary in Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet. He stated he would put himself forward for the Conservatives’ candidacy for London mayor.
In an op-ed article, Cleverly argued that the capital requires someone “prepared to fight for its future.” He also criticised Andy Burnham for allegedly treating London as a “cash cow” and suggested that current Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has allowed London’s “reputation slip.”
Cleverly's candidacy would make him the most prominent Conservative figure to stand for London Mayor since Boris Johnson's departure in 2016. Sir Sadiq Khan, who has been Mayor since 2016, has not yet confirmed if he will seek re-election as the Labour candidate in 2028.