Sir James Cleverly has announced his intention to run for the Conservative mayor of London in the May 2028 election, stepping down as an MP and vowing to unseat the incumbent, Sadiq Khan. Cleverly, a former Cabinet minister and MP for Braintree, has outlined a campaign platform focused on addressing crime and what he describes as Khan's "war on drivers."
Cleverly's announcement follows his resignation as shadow housing secretary, a move he discussed with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. He aims to shift London's traditionally Labour-dominated leadership to Conservative control, emphasizing his deep connection to the city where he was born and raised.
Campaign Platform and Criticisms of Incumbent Mayor
Cleverly has been vocal about his concerns regarding the current state of London under Mayor Khan's tenure, which began in May 2016. He cited escalating crime rates, including knife crime and muggings, and the rise of organized groups terrorizing shoppers. "Spiralling crime rates, knife crime, murders, muggings. Rolex gangs terrorising rich shoppers in Mayfair. Tent encampments popping up every so often on Park Lane. And plunging property prices," Cleverly stated, characterizing the situation as a "tally of trouble."
He also criticized Khan's policies regarding Transport for London, which has faced strikes, and the Ulez expansion, which Cleverly claims is harming livelihoods. Concerns have also been raised by members of London's Jewish community, who reportedly feel increasingly anxious and vulnerable. Cleverly asserted that "everyone has a right to be safe – everyone" and criticized "political cowardice in some quarters where people are unable to say that behaviour is unacceptable."
Cleverly specifically targeted Mayor Khan, calling his performance "massively underperforming, nowhere near as energetic or passionate as he should have been and asleep at the wheel when it comes to crime." He also condemned Khan's public disputes with figures like Donald Trump, calling it "totally counterproductive and amplifying unfair and inaccurate criticism of London around the world."
Furthermore, Cleverly expressed disapproval of Andy Burnham, suggesting he "buys into lazy anti-London stereotypes" and overlooks the city's contributions.
Personal Background and Political Philosophy
Cleverly, 57, brings a diverse background to his mayoral bid. He is an Army Reserves officer, a former publisher, and previously served as the Mayor of London's Youth Ambassador in the London Assembly. He is a lifelong Londoner, born in Lewisham to a white father from Wiltshire and a mother from Sierra Leone. His upbringing, while happy, occurred during a time when he noted societal racism was more prevalent.
He attributes his structured approach to his military service and his political awareness to events like the Winter of Discontent in 1978. His political philosophy is influenced by Ronald Reagan, whom he admires for his ability to achieve goals without resorting to negativity or divisiveness. "His philosophy was that you don't have to demonise anyone or be negative and divisive or angry to get things done," Cleverly said.
Cleverly met his wife, Susie, while studying hospitality management. They have been married for 26 years and have two sons. He described a challenging period when his wife battled breast cancer concurrently with his involvement in the end of Boris Johnson's government, finding solace in quiet activities like painting Warhammer figures.
Campaign Commitment and Past Gaffes
Cleverly has declared his full commitment to the mayoral race, stating, "I've made a very big and public commitment to this job. I can't go back to Braintree with my tail between my legs. So I've got to throw everything at it. There is no parachute. No safety net. No Plan B. I am all in."
Despite his current focus on a positive campaign, Cleverly's past includes several public missteps. In 2010, he referred to Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes as a "dk" on Twitter. In 2023, he described a Labour constituency as a "s*-hole," later clarifying he was referring to its MP. A controversial joke at a Downing Street reception about sedating his wife with Rohypnol, made while he was Home Secretary, also drew criticism. Cleverly has stated that he owns his mistakes, apologizes, and moves on.
Cleverly acknowledged a past incident where he was mistakenly identified as Kwasi Kwarteng by a commentator. "David, I'm the other black one," he quipped in response. He attributed the mix-up to "sloppy and lazy" commentary rather than racism.