Cleverly accuses Burnham of waging a 'war on London' by stripping hundreds of millions from capital's councils

Sir James Cleverly plans to attack Labour PM Andy Burnham for treating London as a "cash cow" as he prepares to launch a Conservative bid for London mayor.

Speaking on LBC on Sunday, Cleverly charged that Burnham's fairer-funding review is "stripping hundreds of millions of pounds" from London council budgets to funnel cash to his Manchester heartland. The Tory lords of Westminster, Wandsworth and Kensington & Chelsea warn they face savage council tax hikes or service cuts as a result. Cleverly, who quit Badenoch's shadow cabinet on Saturday to run for City Hall in 2028, also branded Farage a "toddler" and insisted Reform's "high watermark is well behind us."

Evening StandardCleverly accuses Burnham of ‘war on London’ in pitch for mayoralty Daily MailNortherner Burnham has 'declared war on London' says Cleverly LBC'Andy Burnham is very, very anti-London' says Sir James Cleverly on Mayorship bid Evening StandardLondon mayor battle erupts as Labour and Reform MPs slam Tory hopeful James Cleverly GB NewsJames Cleverly rejects claims he is ‘running scared’ of Reform with London mayor bid as he brands Nigel Farage a ‘toddler’MetroJames Cleverly kicks off London mayor bid with taunts at Sadiq Khan The IndependentCleverly finally turns battle for London into serious contest again – and why it’s good news for Badenoch The IndependentJames Cleverly quits shadow cabinet to run for London mayor GB NewsLaila Cunningham warns new London mayor rival James Cleverly could be ‘another Sadiq Khan’Evening StandardAndy Burnham must focus on London to deliver economic growth, says top adviser Lord O’Neill LBCAndy Burnham promised 'big change', but where’s the money?The IndependentAndy Burnham and John Healey must cheer on the wealth creators

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