Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.

Shadow Housing Secretary Steps Down to Run for London Mayor

Sir James Cleverly has resigned from his position as Shadow Housing Secretary as he announces his intention to run for Mayor of London. The Conservative MP for Braintree had held the Shadow Housing Secretary role since July 2025 and is seeking to become the party’s candidate for the 2028 mayoral election.

It is currently unclear whether Sir James will also step down as an MP. The Conservative Party has not yet selected its candidate for the London mayoral race.

Sir James has launched a campaign website, JcforLondon, where he highlights his experience, including growing up and starting a business in London, as well as his roles with the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the London Waste & Recycling Board, and the Metropolitan Police Authority.

The current Mayor of London, Labour’s Sadiq Khan, has not confirmed if he will stand for re-election. Sadiq Khan first became mayor in 2016 and won the most recent election in May 2024, defeating Conservative candidate Susan Hall by more than 275,000 votes.

During his time as Shadow Housing Secretary, one of Sir James’s main policy proposals was to abolish Stamp Duty. In outlining his potential policies as a mayoral candidate, he has stated that Londoners need homes they can afford to buy or rent, and that entrepreneurs should be able to start and grow businesses without excessive costs and regulation. He has also said that reducing the cost of building homes and running businesses, as well as removing barriers, are priorities.

This development is of interest to UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as the mayoral race and housing policy proposals could impact the London property market and rental sector in the coming years.