Sir James Cleverly Resigns from Shadow Cabinet for Mayoral Bid
Conservative MP eyes London Mayoralty in 2028 election, creating immediate vacancy in shadow cabinet.
Carla Rooney
Sir James Cleverly has quit the shadow cabinet to stand as a candidate for Mayor of London.
Cleverly declared, "I am putting myself forward to be the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, because our capital needs more than an administrator." He asserted the capital required "a champion, someone who understands its potential and is prepared to fight for its future."
Cleverly claims London's reputation has slipped, with its issues left to fester; he reportedly told the Sunday Times he would resign with immediate effect.
I am putting myself forward to be the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, because our capital needs more than an administrator.
A source close to the Conservative leader claimed Kemi Badenoch was 'gutted' to lose Cleverly from her top team. However, a separate source close to Mrs Badenoch stated she is delighted that James Cleverly wants to put himself forward to be Conservative nominee for mayor of London.
This latter source also claimed Sadiq Khan is destroying the London that Kemi Badenoch loves. Speculation had surrounded the future of the Conservative MP for Braintree's career.
He reportedly felt the need to clarify his position prior to party conferences this autumn. The Conservative party conference is scheduled for October, where Cleverly is expected to make his case to party members.
Reform UK's Laila Cunningham currently stands as the only confirmed candidate for the next mayoral election. Festus Akinbusoye is expected to announce his candidacy in the coming weeks, though the capital is not set to vote on a new mayor until 2028.
Labour incumbent Sir Sadiq Khan has not yet confirmed if he will seek a fourth term; he is halfway through his third term and has not stated whether he will run again in May 2028. It remains unknown who will replace Mr Cleverly in the shadow cabinet.