Sir James Cleverly, the former foreign secretary and Member of Parliament for Braintree, has resigned from the Conservative Party’s shadow cabinet to pursue a campaign for mayor of London. His departure was announced ahead of the 2028 mayoral election, in which he intends to challenge the incumbent, Labour’s Sir Sadiq Khan, who is currently serving his third term and has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election.

In a recent op-ed, Cleverly outlined his reasons for stepping down, emphasizing the need for a dedicated and focused campaign. He stated that to run the “most effective campaign possible,” he must be free to address all aspects of London’s future without the constraints of his shadow cabinet responsibilities. Currently serving as the Tory shadow minister for housing, communities, and local government, Cleverly said he informed the party’s shadow cabinet chair, Kemi Badenoch, of his decision.

Cleverly positioned himself as a strong contender who understands London’s potential and described the city as needing “a champion” who is willing to fight for its future. He expressed confidence in his ability to defeat any Labour candidate, asserting, “I know I can beat whoever Labour puts forward.”

In his commentary, Cleverly also critiqued Sir Sadiq Khan's tenure. He suggested that Khan initially viewed the mayoralty as a stepping stone to national leadership but abandoned this ambition after Sir Keir Starmer became Labour Party leader. He further argued that under Khan’s leadership, London’s reputation has diminished both domestically and internationally, with key issues left unresolved.

Sir Sadiq Khan has held the mayoralty since 2016 and is midway through his third term. While he has not provided clarity on whether he will stand for a fourth term, his presence maintains a significant incumbent advantage as the mayoral race develops.

Cleverly’s announcement marks a notable shift in his political career, moving from a central role in the shadow cabinet to a targeted local campaign. Observers are now watching how his candidacy will reshape the contest for leadership of one of the world’s major cities.