Cleverly Vows to Resist Burnham's 'Anti-London' Policies

James Cleverly, a leading contender for the Conservative Party's nomination for London Mayor in 2028, has pledged to act as a "champion" for the capital and resist any "anti-London" decisions made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government. The former cabinet minister, who has stepped down from the Tory frontbench to pursue his mayoral ambitions, stated his intention to address a "negative spiral" of struggling businesses, unaffordable housing, and the cost of living squeeze by promoting the city's economic potential.

Criticism of Current Mayor

Cleverly also accused the current Mayor, Sadiq Khan, of failing to maintain the same level of strong opposition to government decisions that negatively impact London as was seen under the previous Conservative administration. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cleverly, who is considered the frontrunner for the Conservative nomination, asserted his willingness to challenge prime ministers of any political party if their policies harm the capital. He noted that Khan "has gone very, very quiet over the last couple of years," contrasting this with previous instances where Khan "banged the table and demanded stuff for London."

Since 2024, Mayor Khan has publicly advocated for greater fiscal devolution, increased funding for housebuilding, and more resources for public services such as policing, particularly during budget discussions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed enthusiasm for devolution, which involves transferring powers from central government to local authorities and mayors. However, concerns have been raised that a deliberate rebalancing of the country could result in significant funding being redirected from London to the north of England. Some boroughs in the capital have already voiced complaints that future resource allocations may be reduced following the government's updated Fair Funding Review. Additionally, the planned "mansion tax" is expected to disproportionately affect London properties due to higher property values.

Housing Crisis and Economic Concerns

Cleverly described Prime Minister Burnham's devolutionary agenda as "meaningless" and urged the government to grant City Hall greater economic autonomy to "unleash" London's potential. He argued that empowering London's entrepreneurs, assisting lower-paid residents, and reducing living costs for families would generate more tax revenue than the current economic pressures. He also attributed London's housing crisis, which he termed one of Sadiq Khan's "most significant failures," to actions by both Westminster and City Hall. While acknowledging global economic challenges such as high construction costs and interest rates, Cleverly stated that the Labour government's housebuilding policies had "killed off the market." He further claimed that the new London Plan, along with supplementary guidance and national policies, had introduced additional complexities, delays, and costs to housebuilding.

The former home secretary warned that the housing crisis contributes to a "negative spiral" as talented individuals consider leaving London. He expressed concern that even young people on substantial salaries are contemplating departures, with some considering locations like Dubai, while those on more modest incomes are also feeling the pressure. This "brain drain," he suggested, could lead to a decline in London's nightlife and hospitality sectors, making the city feel deserted after dark and deterring businesses from locating there due to potential staff shortages. Cleverly also linked this exodus of talent to the shortage of police officers in the Metropolitan Police, noting a decrease in officer numbers despite stated investment from City Hall.

Next Steps in Mayoral Selection

James Cleverly is currently one of four Conservative candidates vying for the party's nomination for London Mayor. The other candidates include London Assembly member Andrew Boff, Westminster City councillor Festus Akinbusoye, and businessman Alex Challoner. The Conservative Party has not yet finalised the list of candidates. Following this, a selection panel will narrow the field to two finalists. After a series of hustings, party members will vote to select their chosen candidate, with this process expected to conclude before the end of the year.