James Cleverly is running to be Mayor of London

I suppose I think badenoch has tried to put some clear water between tories and labour on a range of issues, I find that less so with cleverly although occasionally he surprises me.

Perhaps he thinks it's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a large pond.

I don’t think the important current battle is between the Tories and Labour, it’s between the Tories and Reform, and Tory big hitters are in short supply.

Fallingstar

sundowngirl

I’ll be keeping everything crossed that he beats Sadiq Khan but I fear not

As a Londoner I believe Sadiq has been a great mayor. Just recently it was proved that ULEZ had lowered the dangerous emissions in the air in the capital. Most Londoners rate him pretty highly. And I suppose that is all that mattersz

As a Londoner born and bred and now living in an outer borough, I don’t know anyone who has a good word to say for him. He is very unpopular in outer London

The ULEZ that was introduced in these outer zones a couple of years ago has made little, if any, difference to the quality of the air here. I agree it made a difference to inner London but we have green fields and parks etc, similar to Surrey and Kent on our borders. It was totally unnecessary and it has made many small businesses go under including a friend and a neighbour. It was just a cash cow for the mayor!

He had a large majority sundowngirl, and is on his third term, so clearly a majority of voting Londoners do like him. He hasn’t confirmed yet whether he will be standing for a fourth term, but if he does it will be a battle.

I'm not impressed by his terrible, inappropriate gaffes. Inappropriate comment at a reception re date rape drug joke and spiking drinks, shortly after the Home Office spoke of tackling it. Inappropriate comments about Cambridge Uni using bragging rights about Jason Arday. I believe he called Stockton North a shithole straight after the severe poverty problems there were announced. He seems way to immature, at the very least.

Voted in three times?
He can't be that unpopular.

I know Maremia..... astonishing isn't it? After 14 years of Tory sleaze, entitlement and dubious behaviours he could potentially be voted in as Mayor of London. Oh dear! 🙄

No future in the Tory Party so Jimmy Dimley hopes for a jobbie elsewhere.

Of course Sadiq will be unpopular with some Londoners, I daresay Burnham wasn’t popular with all Mancunians. These cities have massive populations.
But I personally don’t think Sadiq is in danger of losing to a candidate like Cleverly. And just as some posters may know others in London who don’t like the man I know many who do and three times elected does kind of speak for itself.

10 years is quite a long time though. Khan May step aside now.

That is all true Fallingstar and as Whitewavemark said he may want to step aside after 10 years.

Yes I think it may be time to step aside not least because Khan is getting older and has suffered countless threats to his life and the lives of his family whilst in office. If he does I think he will leave a lasting legacy of cleaner air in the capital potentially saving the lives of children with breathing difficulties.

Three terms as Mayor is more than enough, time for someone new.

Maybe Boris will stand again he was popular with Londoners at the time🤭

Grantanow

No future in the Tory Party so Jimmy Dimley hopes for a jobbie elsewhere.

Name calling - how childish…

Casdon

He had a large majority sundowngirl, and is on his third term, so clearly a majority of voting Londoners do like him. He hasn’t confirmed yet whether he will be standing for a fourth term, but if he does it will be a battle.

I don’t care for him as he comes across as arrogant, “ little big man” syndrome comes to mind.
I don’t feel safe in London & I won’t be going back anytime soon.
Also I spoke with a few couples on holiday who moved right out of London to keep their children safe.

Personally, though I don’t live in London, don’t think Sadiq has done a bad job.

Certainly many Londoners must agree given hat he’s been re-elected.

My views on Cleverly are pretty mixed and I think there will many contenders.

Let Londoners decide whom they wish to be their Mayor and good luck to all candidates

Badenoch is not destroying the Tory party, however much you may wish it to be so.

Fallingstar

Yes I think it may be time to step aside not least because Khan is getting older and has suffered countless threats to his life and the lives of his family whilst in office. If he does I think he will leave a lasting legacy of cleaner air in the capital potentially saving the lives of children with breathing difficulties.

I think after 10 years and great majorities it probably is time for him to step outside.

I’m still a little surprised Cleverly has announced his intentions now and left the shadow cabinet, where he did have a voice. A week is a long time in politics, let alone 2 years!

I’m not a Tory supporter, but I think Badenoch has actually done a half decent job of leading an opposition party.

She’s made some gaffes, but show me a politician who hasn’t?

Feel just as safe in London now as I did in my commuting days in the 80’s and 90’s and in some ways, safer.

John Crace who writes political sketches for the Guardian has always referred to James Cleverly as Jimmy Dimley.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

John Crace who writes political sketches for the Guardian has always referred to James Cleverly as Jimmy Dimley.

That one must have passed me by 🤷‍♀️

Laila Cunningham would get my vote.