James Cleverly has resigned from the shadow cabinet to run for mayor of London. The Conservative politician, who has held the posts of both home secretary and foreign secretary, told the Sunday Times he will step down from his role as shadow minister for housing, communities and local government with immediate effect.
Cleverly's political background
Cleverly, described as a Tory heavyweight, has had a prominent career in national politics. He served as home secretary and foreign secretary under the previous Conservative government. His resignation from the shadow cabinet clears the way for his mayoral campaign.
The resignation comes ahead of the Conservative party conference in October, where Cleverly is expected to make his case to party members. This will be a key opportunity for him to set out his vision for London and rally support within the party.
Mayoral race context
The current mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is halfway through his third term in office. He has not yet stated whether he will run for a fourth term in the election scheduled for May 2028. This leaves the field open for potential candidates from all parties.
Cleverly's entry into the race adds a significant name to the list of potential contenders. His experience in high-level government roles could be a key factor in his campaign, though he will face challenges in a city that has traditionally leaned towards the Labour Party.
Next steps
Cleverly will now focus on building his campaign ahead of the Conservative party conference in October. The conference will be a crucial platform for him to outline his policies and win over party members and London voters alike.
As the mayoral election is not until May 2028, there is ample time for the campaign to develop. Cleverly's resignation from the shadow cabinet is the first formal step in what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
