Sir James Cleverly announced his resignation from the shadow cabinet on Saturday to pursue a candidacy for the London Mayor election in 2028. He has publicly accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of orchestrating a "war on London" and pursuing an "anti-London agenda" through his devolution initiatives.
Cleverly contends that Burnham's plans would divert significant funding away from London, centralizing power in Manchester at the capital's expense. "Andy Burnham is stripping hundreds of millions of pounds out of the budget of London councils," Cleverly stated in an LBC interview on Sunday. He referenced the government's fairer funding review, which could lead to reduced funding for some London boroughs to redirect resources to more deprived areas.
The government has defended these proposed changes, framing them as a necessary correction to an "outdated funding system" that previously provided substantial support to wealthier regions while disadvantaging communities facing greater challenges. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the goal is to deliver "good growth" across the country and that devolution efforts aim to shift power from Westminster to local communities, benefiting all areas with mayors.
Cleverly, who represents Braintree in Essex, argued that London's success is vital for the entire UK. "The UK cannot be successful as a country unless London is successful as a city," he said. He believes Burnham misunderstands this interdependence, stating, "Andy Burnham just doesn't get it. He's got a war with London, and London needs someone to fight its corner."
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan is currently in the middle of his third term, and his intentions regarding a future re-election bid remain unconfirmed.