Archive · 30 Aug 2026
James Cleverly Resigns From Shadow Cabinet, Launches London Mayoral Bid
James Cleverly is a senior Conservative politician in the United Kingdom.
He left his party's shadow Cabinet so he could try to become mayor of London.
He wants Conservative Party members to choose him as their candidate.
Cleverly says London is not automatically a Labour city and believes Conservatives can win there.
He also says success in London could help Kemi Badenoch's party become the national government again.
Cleverly criticized current mayor Sadiq Khan and said Khan has not done enough on street crime.
Khan has not yet said whether he will run for another term in 2028.
The Conservative Party is expected to discuss the contest at its annual conference in October.
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly resigned immediately from the Conservative Shadow Cabinet.
The Braintree MP announced his campaign to become the Conservative candidate for London mayor.
Cleverly said winning London would help Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives return to government.
He criticized Mayor Sadiq Khan, accusing him of limited delivery and insufficient focus on street crime.
Khan has not said whether he will seek a fourth term in the May 2028 election.
- Who
- James Cleverly, a Conservative MP and former Home and Foreign Secretary, resigned from the Shadow Cabinet.
- What
- He launched his bid to become the Conservative candidate for mayor of London.
- When
- He announced the resignation on Saturday; the mayoral election is scheduled for May 2028.
- Where
- The campaign concerns London, United Kingdom; Cleverly represents Braintree.
- Why
- Cleverly said success in London could help Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives return to government and criticized Sadiq Khan's record as mayor.
Cleverly's Argument
Khan's Position
London's political character
Cleverly's Argument
Cleverly rejects the idea that London is inherently a Labour city and says it represents the Conservative Party's philosophical heart.
Khan's Position
The article does not report a response from Khan, but he won the 2024 mayoral election with 43.8% of the vote.
Performance as mayor
Cleverly's Argument
Cleverly says Khan has been 'asleep at the wheel,' with too much posturing and too little delivery, particularly on street crime.
Khan's Position
Khan's response is not included in the article; he remains mayor and is halfway through his third term.
2028 candidacy
Cleverly's Argument
Cleverly is seeking the Conservative nomination for the May 2028 election.
Khan's Position
Khan has not said whether he will run for a fourth term, while the article says he may have future national political opportunities.
- Resigning politician
- James Cleverly
- Previous roles
- Former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary; most recently shadow minister for housing, communities and local government.
- Conservative leader
- Kemi Badenoch defeated Cleverly in the Conservative leadership contest.
- Current mayor
- Sadiq Khan is halfway through his third term as London mayor.
- Next election
- The London mayoral contest is scheduled for May 2028.
- Khan's plans
- Khan has not stated whether he will seek a fourth term.
- Previous Conservative candidate
- Susan Hall lost to Khan in 2024, when Khan received 43.8% of the vote.