Sir James Cleverly is to resign as a shadow cabinet minister with immediate effect to run for London Mayor, challenging incumbent Labour Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. Cleverly, who held the position of shadow minister for housing, communities and local government, announced his decision on August 29, 2026, stating his intention to seek the Conservative Party's nomination for the 2028 mayoral election.
Cleverly, 56, informed party leader Kemi Badenoch of his decision on Thursday, who she reportedly took well, describing Badenoch as "gracious" despite her disappointment at losing a "pivotal member of her cabinet." Badenoch, however, cannot officially endorse any candidate as contenders must win the party's internal nomination.
In a statement posted on X, Cleverly declared, "London needs more than an administrator. It needs a champion, someone who understands its potential and is prepared to fight for its future. That’s why I’m running to be the Conservative Candidate for London Mayor." He also told the Sunday Times that he felt it was necessary to clarify his position before the party conferences this autumn.
Cleverly criticized Mayor Khan, who is currently halfway through his third term, accusing him of being "asleep at the wheel" and engaging in "lots of posturing with very little delivery." Khan has not yet confirmed if he will seek a fourth term in the May 2028 election.
The Conservative Party has sought a strong candidate to challenge Khan, particularly after Susan Hall lost to the incumbent by approximately 200,000 votes in the 2024 election. Reform's Laila Cunningham, a Westminster City Councillor who defected from the Conservatives in June 2025, is the only candidate confirmed for the 2028 election thus far.
Richard Holden, shadow transport secretary, voiced his support for Cleverly's bid, calling him "excellent news for Londoners and the whole country" and a "real heavyweight in the race who’d make a superb Mayor of London."