Cleverly quits shadow cabinet to run for London mayor
Sir James Cleverly has officially stepped down from his role as shadow housing secretary to pursue the Conservative nomination for London mayor. He expressed a desire to focus entirely on the campaign and criticized the current Labour administration's management of the city.
Why it matters
This resignation marks a significant change in the UK shadow cabinet and sets the stage for a long-term mayoral contest.
Image source, PA Media By Adam Goldsmith Published 29 August 2026 Conservative MP Sir James Cleverly has said he is resigning from the shadow cabinet to run for London mayor.
"I am putting myself forward to be the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, because our capital needs more than an administrator," he wrote in the Times , external .
Sir James said he has told Tory leader Kemi Badenoch he is stepping down as shadow housing secretary, saying: "I must be free to speak about every aspect of London's future and concentrate fully on winning this race."
The capital is not set to vote on a new mayor until May 2028. Labour incumbent Sir Sadiq Khan is yet to confirm whether he will seek an unprecedented fourth term.
The Conservatives are yet to pick their candidate for the London mayoral race.
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