James Cleverly moves step closer to taking on Sadiq Khan for Mayor of London as final Tory shortlist announced

Sir James Cleverly has taken a step towards a potential contest against Lord Sadiq Khan to be Mayor of London after he made the final Conservative shortlist to stand in the 2028 election. The former Home Secretary has been selected along with Westminster councillor Festus Akinbusoye and former Richmond Park and North Kingston parliamentary candidate Sara Gezdari to contest the Tory candidacy. The three will go forward to a ballot of London members to choose who will be the party’s candidate for the London Mayoral Election.

Businessman Alex Challoner has been knocked out of the race after previously making the final four. A ballot of London Tory Party member members will open on November 2 and run until November 18 to decide who will represent the party in the race to lead City Hall . If any candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they will automatically become the candidate. If no candidate passes that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes will drop out and a second round of voting will open on November 23 and close on November 25, with the final result announced on November 27.

Sir James is favourite to be selected to take on Lord Sadiq Khan or another Labour candidate if he does not stand in the 2028 election. Chairman of the Conservative Party , Kevin Hollinrake MP, said: “Londoners deserve better than Sadiq Khan. They deserve a Mayor who will get a grip on crime, the cost of living and build the houses that Londoners need. “I want to thank all four candidates who came forward. Festus, James and Sara now go forward to London members and I look forward to a lively contest as our members choose the candidate who will take the fight to Labour.”