- Sir James Cleverly has resigned from the Conservative shadow cabinet with immediate effect to run for Mayor of London.
- The Braintree MP stepped down as shadow housing, communities and local government secretary after informing party leader Kemi Badenoch.
- Cleverly stated he needed to leave the front bench to concentrate fully on building an effective campaign for City Hall.
- He criticised current Labour Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, claiming London's reputation has slipped and its issues have been left to fester.
- The former foreign secretary previously represented the Conservatives on the London Assembly before becoming an MP in 2015.
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