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James Cleverly, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor, criticizes Sadiq Khan's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (Ulez) policy as harmful to Outer London drivers, while experts warn that such stances could alienate Liberal Democrat voters crucial for a potential run-off election victory. With Labour and Reform UK leading in polls at 34% and 20%, respectively, Cleverly must navigate his party’s traditional policies carefully to avoid losing support from moderate voters who are skeptical of Brexit and Ulez criticisms.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the London mayoral race, James Cleverly, a former London Assembly member and aspiring Conservative candidate, has criticized the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) as harmful to drivers in Outer London. He argues that these policies are causing financial strain for families and businesses. However, Conservatives have disputed ULEZ's negative impact on air pollution reduction. According to recent election results, Reform UK garnered 20% of the vote, while the Conservatives received 18%, leaving them with a combined total of 38%. The Liberal Democrats followed with 10%. To secure victory in the runoff under the supplementary voting system, Cleverly would likely need to gain significant second-preference support from Liberal Democrat voters. This makes traditional centrist Conservative policies essential for gaining their endorsement.
Written for “London Mayor Race Debate” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.35, but none of the 2 quote(s) it offered could be found in the article text, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 10325: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-15
"In Outer London, this really quite vindictive assault on drivers, both people that drive for family reasons and for people that drive for business, is causing real harm,” he added.
asserted
he → drive → harm
“So I want to look at a whole range of options to ease the costs and pressure of people getting around the city and doing business in the city.
asserted
I → want → city
But the Conservatives have challenged the findings, particularly Ulez’s impact in Outer London in cutting air pollution.
asserted
Conservatives → challenge → pollution
Reform UK was in second place on 20%, opening up the prospect that the election run-off when second preference votes are counted, could be Laila Cunningham against Lord Khan or whoever is the Labour candidate.
uncertain
whoever → open → Khan
The Tories were on 18%, making a joint total with Reform of 38%.
asserted
Tories → make → %
So for Sir James to get the backing of the majority of Londoners to win the mayoral election under the supplementary voting system he would almost certainly have to persuade a sizeable share of these Lib Dems voters to support him as their second preference contender.
asserted
he → get → contender
“To win second preference votes from Liberal Democrats there are several issues where traditional centrist Conservative politics would be required,” Tony Travers, Professor in the Department of Government at the London School of Economics, told The Standard.
asserted
Travers → win → Standard
“Proposing to remove the ultra-low emission zone might help win back Reform voters in parts of Outer London but would be poison for many Lib Dems.
uncertain
Proposing → propose → Dems
“Supporting the UK leaving the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights) to reduce asylum seeking might win votes in Essex, but would be less attractive to many moderate London Tories.”
uncertain
UK → support → Tories
Former London Assembly member Sir James has told how, if selected as the Tory mayoral contender, he would seek to fight the contest on “classical” Conservative policies and as “an aspirational, entrepreneurial, forward-thinking Conservative candidate in tune with the city”.
asserted
he → tell → city
The MP for Braintree in Essex added: “The personal attributes are at least as important as party affiliations, that's how you win London.”
asserted
you → add → London
However, Professor Travers outlined the challenges that ex-Foreign Secretary Sir James would face, including having been an ardent backer of Brexit.
asserted
James → outline → Brexit
He explained: “James Cleverly, who voted to leave the EU, would need to tread carefully into the role of Conservative candidate.
asserted
who → explain → candidate
“It would be no use adopting a ‘Brexit worked wonderfully’ line in a city which voted by a wide margin to remain in the EU.
asserted
which → adopt → EU
“Cleverly would need to be more Heseltine than ‘hard line’,” he added, referring to the pro-European Conservative peer.
asserted
he → need → peer
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