Cleverly's Mayoral Bid Depends on Liberal Democrat Second Preferences

James Cleverly quit the shadow cabinet on 29 August 2026 to seek the Conservative nomination for London mayor. The 2028 race uses the supplementary vote: voters mark a first and second choice; if no one tops 50% of first preferences, second choices are redistributed. LSE's Professor Tony Travers says Cleverly must win over Liberal Democrat voters to avoid Susan Hall's 2024 failure.