Sir James Cleverly has secured the backing of the most senior Conservative mayor in his bid to challenge Sadiq Khan for City Hall in London.
Lord Ben Houchen, Mayor of the Tees Valley, highlighted Sir James’ political experience, which he believes makes him the strongest contender to be the Tory mayoral candidate in the 2028 contest.
Joint statement from Conservative mayors
In a joint statement with Paul Bristow, the Conservative mayor for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, Lord Houchen said: “We are two Conservative mayors who beat Labour in places they took for granted.
“The lesson is simple. Say what you will do, do it, and voters will back you, whatever Labour assumes about the postcode.
“That is why we are both backing Sir James Cleverly to be the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London.”
They added: “London has been run by Labour for a decade, and plenty of people have decided it always will be.
“We think they are wrong, and our own records are part of the reason.”
Competing candidates
Sir James is competing to be the Tory mayoral candidate against businessman Alex Challoner, who has unveiled radical proposals for police at Tube ticket gates to crack down on fare dodgers, and former police commissioner Festus Akinbusoye, who is also running on a tough-on-crime platform.
The former Home Secretary is seen as the frontrunner, having already gained the support of more than half of Conservative councillors in London.
Lord Houchen and Mr Bristow added: “James Cleverly understands what delivery takes, and he judges London by three tests.
“Do you feel safe walking home alone at night? Can you afford to build a future here for you and your family? And are you proud of our capital?”
“Under Sadiq Khan, too many Londoners cannot answer yes to all three.”
They emphasised: “James is a Londoner, born in Lewisham, who served eight years on the London Assembly before running the Home Office and the Foreign Office, and he knows what it takes to turn those answers around.”
Labour's potential candidates
Sadiq Khan is expected to decide next year whether to seek a fourth term as London Mayor.
If he does not stand, possible challengers to be Labour’s candidate include Brent East MP Dawn Butler, Tottenham MP and ex-Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, and former Communities Secretary Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North.
