Former foreign secretary James Cleverly declares bid for London mayoralty

Sir James Cleverly, aged 57, announced he is stepping down from the shadow cabinet and will not stand again as an MP, opting instead to pursue the London mayoralty in the 2028 election. Cleverly says a Conservative victory would help propel Kemi Badenoch to the premiership in the next general election, which must occur by August of the following year.

He cites women’s safety at night as a litmus test for a successful mayor and condemns Andy Burnham’s “Manchesterism” for framing London’s success as a cost to the rest of the UK. The former foreign secretary also warns that global rivals such as Paris, New York, Mumbai and Lagos are challenging London’s reputation. Drawing on his military background and previous cabinet experience, he pledges to protect the city from physical and digital threats while promoting it as a world-class destination.