Cleverly prepares to accuse Burnham of waging 'war on London' as he is set to launch classically Conservative mayor bid
James Cleverly, who quit Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet on Saturday, is set to launch his 2028 London mayoral campaign by accusing Prime Minister Andy Burnham of "stripping hundreds of millions of pounds" from London council budgets and centralising power in Manchester. The former home and foreign secretary is expected to tell LBC that Burnham is "very, very anti-London" and will vow to fight the capital's corner as its champion.
Cleverly is also expected to taunt Sadiq Khan, saying he has "lost passion for the job" and that he would not be surprised if Khan "bows out" in 2028 rather than seek a fourth term.
He is set to brand Reform's Nigel Farage a "toddler" for pointing at problems without solutions, insisting "Reform's high watermark is well behind us" and Braintree faces "zero chance" of returning a Reform MP.
Reform's own London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham is expected to fire back, warning Cleverly risks being "another Sadiq Khan" who ignores crime on the capital's streets.
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The GuardianCleverly to run ‘classically Conservative’ campaign to be next London mayorEvening StandardCleverly accuses Burnham of ‘war on London’ in pitch for mayoraltyLBC'Andy Burnham is very, very anti-London' says Sir James Cleverly on Mayorship bidGB NewsJames Cleverly rejects claims he is ‘running scared’ of Reform with London mayor bid as he brands Nigel Farage a ‘toddler’The IndependentCleverly finally turns battle for London into serious contest again – and why it’s good news for BadenochThe IndependentJames Cleverly quits shadow cabinet to run for London mayorGB NewsLaila Cunningham warns new London mayor rival James Cleverly could be ‘another Sadiq Khan’Irish IndependentJames Cleverly quits UK shadow cabinet to run for London mayorDaily MailNortherner Burnham has 'declared war on London' says CleverlyMetroJames Cleverly kicks off London mayor bid with taunts at Sadiq KhanAOL News UKLondon mayor battle erupts as Labour and Reform MPs slam Tory hopeful James CleverlyEvening StandardLondon mayor battle erupts as Labour and Reform MPs slam Tory hopeful James Cleverly
