Key facts
- James Cleverly has resigned from the Conservative shadow cabinet.
- He will run for Mayor of London in the 2028 election.
- Cleverly aims to challenge the incumbent Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan.
- Cleverly stated he needs to be free to speak about London's future to win the race.
Conservative MP James Cleverly has resigned from the shadow cabinet to run for London mayor in the 2028 election. He announced his decision in an op-ed for The Sunday Times, stating he needs to be free to concentrate fully on winning the race. Cleverly's move sets up a potential contest against the incumbent Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has been mayor since 2016. Cleverly, who was the shadow housing and local government secretary, said the capital needed someone who "is prepared to fight for its future." His candidacy would make him the most high-profile figure to stand for the Conservatives in London since Boris Johnson left in 2016. Labour MP Dawn Butler has also teased a potential campaign slogan. Former Westminster councillor Laila Cunningham is set to stand for Reform.