Cleverly accuses Burnham of 'war on London'

Sir James Cleverly announced on Saturday that he is stepping down from his role as shadow secretary of state for housing, communities and local government to contest the London mayoralty in the 2028 election, positioning himself as a defender of the capital against what he describes as a “war on London” being waged by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. Cleverly, the Conservative MP for Braintree, accused Burnham’s devolution agenda of siphoning “hundreds of millions of pounds” from London council budgets and centralising power in Manchester, arguing that such policies would undermine the city’s success and, by extension, the nation’s prosperity.

The controversy stems from the government’s “fairer funding review,” launched under former Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, which proposes reallocating resources from affluent areas like London to more deprived regions. Officials claim the reform is intended to correct an outdated system that has historically over‑funded wealthy locales while under‑supporting communities under pressure. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson reiterated that the devolution plans aim to deliver “good growth in every postcode” and that the shift of power from Westminster to local authorities is not meant to favour other cities at London’s expense.

Cleverly’s criticism arrives as Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, midway through his third term, has not confirmed whether he will seek re‑election, leaving the political landscape in flux. While the government defends its funding changes as necessary for equity, Cleverly framed the issue as a battle for London’s future, urging voters to choose a candidate who will “fight its corner.” The debate highlights the tension between national devolution strategies and the capital’s fiscal autonomy, with implications for how future funding allocations and local governance will be balanced across the United Kingdom.

⚡ Effects Interpreter