Sir James Cleverly has moved a step closer to a potential contest against Sadiq Khan for Mayor of London after securing a place on the Conservative shortlist for the 2028 election.
The former Home Secretary was selected alongside Westminster councillor Festus Akinbusoye and former Richmond Park and North Kingston parliamentary candidate Sara Gezdari to contest the Tory candidacy. Businessman Alex Challoner was knocked out of the race.
Ballot of London members
The three candidates will go forward to a ballot of London members to choose who will be the party's candidate for the London Mayoral Election. The ballot will open on November 2 and run until November 18.
If any candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they will automatically become the candidate. If no candidate passes that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes will drop out and a second round of voting will open on November 23 and close on November 25, with the final result announced on November 27.
Party chairman's call to action
Chairman of the Conservative Party, Kevin Hollinrake MP, said: "Londoners deserve better than Sadiq Khan. They deserve a Mayor who will get a grip on crime, the cost of living and build the houses that Londoners need."
He added: "I want to thank all four candidates who came forward. Festus, James and Sara now go forward to London members and I look forward to a lively contest as our members choose the candidate who will take the fight to Labour."
