Peter Fortune is the MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill
Two years is a long time in politics. In 2024 I was first elected as the MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill, in what was an otherwise disastrous election for our party. We were staring down the barrel of a generation of Labour governments, and we had a fight on our hands just to survive.
But today, the picture is very different. Labour’s election winning leader has chucked in the towel, and our own position has stabilised. We have begun to rebuild credibility, and a path back to power feels attainable again – but there remains much work to do.
We have to do things differently. That work has already started under Kemi’s leadership and it’s paying dividends. Setting out what we stand for as Conservatives, and our plan to build a stronger country is at the core of this. But it doesn’t just mean a new approach to policy, but a new approach to politics too.
The Conservative Party must take London seriously again.
We have been too easily distracted and diverted from the capital, ceding ground to Labour on the false pretence that London is inherently a left wing City. But that just is not true. Londoners want what Conservatives can offer – a stronger economy, access to affordable housing, safe streets and functioning public services. A City that is empowered to get on, not held back by the tentacles of bureaucracy from Whitehall or City Hall. The road back to a Conservative Government will wind through the streets of Harrow, Kensington, and my own Bromley constituency more than ever before.
The first step we must take is to select a serious candidate who can win in London. I believe that candidate is James Cleverly.
ConservativeHome readers do not need me to explain James’ experience, in London or national government – that is plain for all to see. But what I can enlighten you on is my own experience of working with James, and why I believe he is so well suited to be our champion for London.
James served as the AM for Bexley and Bromley before I did, for eight years. At that time I worked closely with him when I was on the council. What I saw was not only an impressive communicator and politician who I knew would go far, but also an exceedingly capable public servant who was completely dedicated to improving our brilliant City.
James, like myself, is a Londoner to his core. He was born and brought up here. He went to school and university here, joined the army here, got his first job here, started a company here and entered politics here. He loves this city and has all the attributes we need to win here, and give us a reason to be proud of London again.
After a decade of Sadiq Khan, too many of London’s problems have been left to fester. Housing has become unaffordable for too many. Londoners do not feel safe on their own streets. Costs keep climbing for families and businesses alike, and London’s reputation has been allowed to slip, at home and abroad. As a new shadow business minister, I know that James will champion businesses both big and small.
Fixing these problems require a Conservative vision, and a proven ability to deliver. James has both. He will work with Conservatives across London to fix Khan’s mess, and make London a city to shout about again, to capitalise on her natural advantages and huge resources of talent, to get out of the way and let London boom.
It is always better to show, not tell. We can only rebuild our credibility as a party by showing that the answers we say we have will work. By winning and delivering in London, we can prove that the plan we Conservatives have for our country is worth getting behind. What James can do for London, Kemi can do for Britain.
Yesterday, over half of all Conservative Councillors in London, plus a host of sitting London MPs, council leaders and assembly members have backed James to be our candidate to take on and beat Labour and Reform in the capital.
London needs a champion: someone who believes in our city, sees its potential, and is prepared to fight for its future.
James Cleverly can be that champion.
Peter Fortune is the MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill
Two years is a long time in politics. In 2024 I was first elected as the MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill, in what was an otherwise disastrous election for our party. We were staring down the barrel of a generation of Labour governments, and we had a fight on our hands just to survive.
But today, the picture is very different. Labour’s election winning leader has chucked in the towel, and our own position has stabilised. We have begun to rebuild credibility, and a path back to power feels attainable again – but there remains much work to do.
We have to do things differently. That work has already started under Kemi’s leadership and it’s paying dividends. Setting out what we stand for as Conservatives, and our plan to build a stronger country is at the core of this. But it doesn’t just mean a new approach to policy, but a new approach to politics too.
The Conservative Party must take London seriously again.
We have been too easily distracted and diverted from the capital, ceding ground to Labour on the false pretence that London is inherently a left wing City. But that just is not true. Londoners want what Conservatives can offer – a stronger economy, access to affordable housing, safe streets and functioning public services. A City that is empowered to get on, not held back by the tentacles of bureaucracy from Whitehall or City Hall. The road back to a Conservative Government will wind through the streets of Harrow, Kensington, and my own Bromley constituency more than ever before.
The first step we must take is to select a serious candidate who can win in London. I believe that candidate is James Cleverly.
ConservativeHome readers do not need me to explain James’ experience, in London or national government – that is plain for all to see. But what I can enlighten you on is my own experience of working with James, and why I believe he is so well suited to be our champion for London.
James served as the AM for Bexley and Bromley before I did, for eight years. At that time I worked closely with him when I was on the council. What I saw was not only an impressive communicator and politician who I knew would go far, but also an exceedingly capable public servant who was completely dedicated to improving our brilliant City.
James, like myself, is a Londoner to his core. He was born and brought up here. He went to school and university here, joined the army here, got his first job here, started a company here and entered politics here. He loves this city and has all the attributes we need to win here, and give us a reason to be proud of London again.
After a decade of Sadiq Khan, too many of London’s problems have been left to fester. Housing has become unaffordable for too many. Londoners do not feel safe on their own streets. Costs keep climbing for families and businesses alike, and London’s reputation has been allowed to slip, at home and abroad. As a new shadow business minister, I know that James will champion businesses both big and small.
Fixing these problems require a Conservative vision, and a proven ability to deliver. James has both. He will work with Conservatives across London to fix Khan’s mess, and make London a city to shout about again, to capitalise on her natural advantages and huge resources of talent, to get out of the way and let London boom.
It is always better to show, not tell. We can only rebuild our credibility as a party by showing that the answers we say we have will work. By winning and delivering in London, we can prove that the plan we Conservatives have for our country is worth getting behind. What James can do for London, Kemi can do for Britain.
Yesterday, over half of all Conservative Councillors in London, plus a host of sitting London MPs, council leaders and assembly members have backed James to be our candidate to take on and beat Labour and Reform in the capital.
London needs a champion: someone who believes in our city, sees its potential, and is prepared to fight for its future.
James Cleverly can be that champion.