James Cleverly, a senior Conservative figure, has officially launched his campaign to become the Mayor of London. In a series of media interviews conducted on Sunday, Cleverly framed his candidacy as a return to a “classically Conservative” approach, highlighting economic growth and enterprise as his primary policy pillars. His entry into the race follows his recent resignation from the shadow cabinet.

During his campaign rollout, Cleverly addressed questions regarding his relationship with the current direction of the Conservative Party under leader Kemi Badenoch. He denied that his departure from the shadow cabinet was motivated by a disagreement with the party’s recent shift toward right-wing social issues. Instead, he maintained that his mayoral bid is intended to serve as a foundational success that could help bolster the party’s national prospects and support Badenoch’s leadership.

Notably, Cleverly steered clear of the “culture war” issues that have become a hallmark of Badenoch’s recent political strategy. By focusing on traditional economic messaging, Cleverly appears to be attempting to broaden the Conservative appeal in a city that has historically leaned toward the Labour Party. While he expressed support for the party leadership, his decision to avoid divisive social topics suggests a strategic divergence from the national party's current messaging focus.