Senior Labour and Reform UK MPs criticised Sir James Cleverly after he resigned from the shadow Cabinet to run for Mayor of London. His decision to seek the Conservative nomination for City Hall effectively started the mayoral race, even though the election is not due until May 2028.
Cleverly attacks Sadiq Khan's record
Announcing his move, Sir James launched a series of attacks on Sir Sadiq Khan. "Under Sadiq Khan's Mayorship London's reputation has been allowed to slip, at home and abroad, while too many of its problems have been left to fester," he said.
Former Cabinet minister Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North, responded: "A senior member of the Tory government that cut London's police, doubled homelessness and starved London of funding year after year? Londoners don't forget."
Reform chairman questions Lib Dem candidates
In a sign that Sir James will face a battle from both the Left and the Right, Reform chairman Lee Anderson responded to the move by posting on X: "Does that mean the Lib Dems will have two candidates standing?"
There was also a groundswell of support for Sir James from Conservatives, as he is considered the most heavyweight potential mayoral candidate since Boris Johnson. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks, wrote: "London is an incredible city that deserves a much better Mayor than the one it has at the moment. James would be outstanding."
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge posted: "Great news! Delighted James will be running for London Mayor. Looking forward to the campaign."
Selection process and polling
Sir James has not yet been selected as the Tory mayoral contender, and party leader Kemi Badenoch has urged other potential candidates to come forward as she seeks the strongest challenger to Sir Sadiq, or whoever the Labour contender is. His announcement came days after a poll suggested Reform were in pole position to challenge Labour in the 2028 contest.
The Savanta survey for the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London, showed Reform UK's London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham could beat her Tory rival to reach the run-off against Labour.
