Owen Matthews works in political risk insurance and is treasurer of the Queen’s Park and Maida Vale Conservative Association.
Reform UK’s other recent announcement, that Laila Cunningham will be its candidate for the 2028 London mayoral election is a masterstroke of political opportunism – and a damning indictment of the Conservatives’ chronic inability to spot, let alone nurture, talent.
Here is a woman who, until recently, was a Conservative councillor in Westminster, a former senior Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor, and a mother of seven with a compelling personal story of standing up to crime in defence of her children.
Striking in appearance and described by Nigel Farage as “articulate” and “passionate”, she has rapidly become a regular fixture on outlets like GB News, earning the moniker of the ‘vigilante mum’ for her forthright views on law and order. Yet the Tories, in their infinite wisdom, earmarked her for the unwinnable seat of Rotherham in the 2024 general election – a decision from which she withdrew at the last minute (no doubt burning her bridges in the process), before defecting to Reform in 2025. Farage’s team wasted no time in elevating her; one suspects they recognised a diamond where CCHQ saw only rough.
One cannot help but speculate on why Cunningham failed to rise through the Tory ranks.
In part, it may stem from her reluctance to ‘play the game’ – that peculiar Westminster ritual of standing loyally in hopeless seats, enduring ritual humiliation, and then patiently waiting for eventual reward based on length of service rather than merit. Cunningham opted out of Rotherham, perhaps recognising the futility, or simply refusing to squander her energies on what she saw as a foregone conclusion amid the charms of South Yorkshire’s post-industrial landscape. In a true meritocracy, however, the party ought to prioritise raw talent, communicative flair, and potential impact over such antiquated displays of endurance.
If the Conservatives truly aspire to be a party of ability rather than apprenticeship, they should learn to identify and fast-track performers like Cunningham, not consign them to political Siberia. Her defection exposes this deeper malaise: a selection system that all too often rewards plodders and penalises those unwilling to toil anonymously for years.
Contrast Laila’s selection with the Conservatives’ chosen candidate for the last mayoral contest.
There’s no question that Susan Hall is a diligent London Assembly member, adept at holding Sadiq Khan’s feet to the fire on issues from knife crime and grooming gangs to transport chaos. But as a mayoral candidate, she proved uninspiring, failing to ignite enthusiasm among the electorate or cut through the media clutter. Khan secured his third term with ease, his blend of progressive posturing and punitive policies – ULEZ expansions chief among them – proving sufficiently resilient against a fragmented right-wing challenge. If the Tories repeat that mistake by fielding another competent but uncharismatic figure – or entertain the idea of a Susan Hall rerun, they will hand Khan a fourth term on a platter.
At the time of writing, the Conservatives are yet to name their candidate, leaving the field open to speculation.
Among the mooted names is Sir James Cleverly, the former Home and Foreign Secretary whose straight-talking manner on policing and immigration could resonate in the outer boroughs. Cleverly has not ruled out a bid, hinting at party conference last year that watching London “go wrong” angers him deeply. He possesses the necessary gravitas and a certain affable authority, qualities that might mobilise suburban voters weary of Khan’s priorities. Yet one wonders if he truly covets the role, or whether perhaps his ambitions lie elsewhere in national leadership – the mayoralty, after all, risks being a rather parochial detour for a man of his stature.
Other whispers include figures like Thomas “Bosh” Skinner, the entrepreneur and reality television personality known for his blunt East End shtick. Skinner has been approached by multiple parties and could inject a dose of anti-establishment energy, appealing to those disillusioned with polished politicians. However, his lack of governmental experience risks portraying him as a novelty act rather than a serious contender – entertaining, perhaps, but a figure unlikely to unsettle Khan in debates.
Less prominent but occasionally mentioned are veteran assembly members such as Andrew Boff, whose institutional knowledge is undeniable (and whose dramatic ejection from the party conference in 2023 for heckling then Home Secretary, Suella Braverman remains a highlight of recent Tory gatherings). Or younger prospects like Alessandro Georgiou – the Enfield councillor and London-wide AM known for his robust defence of the Green Belt and opposition to imposed Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Neither of these though, appears poised to galvanise the broader coalition needed to unseat an entrenched incumbent. The party seems paralysed by indecision, a familiar Tory affliction that allows its opponents to seize the initiative.
This hesitation is particularly galling given the stakes, underlined by the latest Savanta poll for the Mile End Institute. It places Labour comfortably in front on 32 per cent, with the Conservatives on 20 per cent and Reform on 19 per cent – the right-wing vote split almost evenly, ensuring Khan remains the overwhelming favourite. London’s challenges – soaring crime, unaffordable housing, congested transport, and punitive green taxes – demand a unifying figure on the right. A divided vote between a Tory candidate and Cunningham would almost certainly gift victory to Labour, perpetuating Khan’s regime of virtue-signalling and vanity projects. The priority must be to oust him, not to indulge in ideological purity contests. If the Conservatives select a lacklustre option, voices on the right may quietly – or not so quietly – urge consolidation behind the stronger anti-Khan challenger.
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Ms Cunningham personally but chatting to Tory insiders who have worked with her on Westminster Council it’s fair to say that the reviews are not exactly glowing: they speak of organisational shortcomings and a certain indifference to minutiae. Yet these criticisms evoke an amusing parallel: do they not recall Boris Johnson, our most electorally successful recent mayor, whose chaotic style and occasional disregard for detail did not prevent him from transforming City Hall and winning multiple terms? Cunningham’s perceived flaws may, in fact, be features – a maverick energy unburdened by bureaucratic caution.
Moreover, unlike certain Reform colleagues, she has thus far navigated the spotlight without any major missteps. Consider Sarah Pochin the Reform MP, whose ill-judged remarks on television advertising demographics in 2025 sparked accusations of racism, forcing apologies and drawing unwelcome scrutiny to the party. Cunningham, by contrast, has maintained discipline, focusing relentlessly on crime, ULEZ abolition, and visible policing – messages that chime with many Londoners’ daily frustrations.
Reform’s early announcement is shrewd timing, positioning Cunningham as the face of their London campaign ahead of the May 2026 local elections.
Polls suggest the party could make gains in the capital, building momentum toward 2028. For Conservatives, the lesson is stark: tribal loyalty must yield to strategic realism. London cannot afford another term of Khan’s stewardship, with its attendant exodus of wealth creators and escalation of street crime. If unity eludes the right, the fault will lie squarely with those who prioritise party over principle.
A competitive, charismatic challenge is now on the table – the question is whether the Tories will rise to it, or once again squander the opportunity.
Owen Matthews works in political risk insurance and is treasurer of the Queen’s Park and Maida Vale Conservative Association.
Reform UK’s other recent announcement, that Laila Cunningham will be its candidate for the 2028 London mayoral election is a masterstroke of political opportunism – and a damning indictment of the Conservatives’ chronic inability to spot, let alone nurture, talent.
Here is a woman who, until recently, was a Conservative councillor in Westminster, a former senior Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor, and a mother of seven with a compelling personal story of standing up to crime in defence of her children.
Striking in appearance and described by Nigel Farage as “articulate” and “passionate”, she has rapidly become a regular fixture on outlets like GB News, earning the moniker of the ‘vigilante mum’ for her forthright views on law and order. Yet the Tories, in their infinite wisdom, earmarked her for the unwinnable seat of Rotherham in the 2024 general election – a decision from which she withdrew at the last minute (no doubt burning her bridges in the process), before defecting to Reform in 2025. Farage’s team wasted no time in elevating her; one suspects they recognised a diamond where CCHQ saw only rough.
One cannot help but speculate on why Cunningham failed to rise through the Tory ranks.
In part, it may stem from her reluctance to ‘play the game’ – that peculiar Westminster ritual of standing loyally in hopeless seats, enduring ritual humiliation, and then patiently waiting for eventual reward based on length of service rather than merit. Cunningham opted out of Rotherham, perhaps recognising the futility, or simply refusing to squander her energies on what she saw as a foregone conclusion amid the charms of South Yorkshire’s post-industrial landscape. In a true meritocracy, however, the party ought to prioritise raw talent, communicative flair, and potential impact over such antiquated displays of endurance.
If the Conservatives truly aspire to be a party of ability rather than apprenticeship, they should learn to identify and fast-track performers like Cunningham, not consign them to political Siberia. Her defection exposes this deeper malaise: a selection system that all too often rewards plodders and penalises those unwilling to toil anonymously for years.
Contrast Laila’s selection with the Conservatives’ chosen candidate for the last mayoral contest.
There’s no question that Susan Hall is a diligent London Assembly member, adept at holding Sadiq Khan’s feet to the fire on issues from knife crime and grooming gangs to transport chaos. But as a mayoral candidate, she proved uninspiring, failing to ignite enthusiasm among the electorate or cut through the media clutter. Khan secured his third term with ease, his blend of progressive posturing and punitive policies – ULEZ expansions chief among them – proving sufficiently resilient against a fragmented right-wing challenge. If the Tories repeat that mistake by fielding another competent but uncharismatic figure – or entertain the idea of a Susan Hall rerun, they will hand Khan a fourth term on a platter.
At the time of writing, the Conservatives are yet to name their candidate, leaving the field open to speculation.
Among the mooted names is Sir James Cleverly, the former Home and Foreign Secretary whose straight-talking manner on policing and immigration could resonate in the outer boroughs. Cleverly has not ruled out a bid, hinting at party conference last year that watching London “go wrong” angers him deeply. He possesses the necessary gravitas and a certain affable authority, qualities that might mobilise suburban voters weary of Khan’s priorities. Yet one wonders if he truly covets the role, or whether perhaps his ambitions lie elsewhere in national leadership – the mayoralty, after all, risks being a rather parochial detour for a man of his stature.
Other whispers include figures like Thomas “Bosh” Skinner, the entrepreneur and reality television personality known for his blunt East End shtick. Skinner has been approached by multiple parties and could inject a dose of anti-establishment energy, appealing to those disillusioned with polished politicians. However, his lack of governmental experience risks portraying him as a novelty act rather than a serious contender – entertaining, perhaps, but a figure unlikely to unsettle Khan in debates.
Less prominent but occasionally mentioned are veteran assembly members such as Andrew Boff, whose institutional knowledge is undeniable (and whose dramatic ejection from the party conference in 2023 for heckling then Home Secretary, Suella Braverman remains a highlight of recent Tory gatherings). Or younger prospects like Alessandro Georgiou – the Enfield councillor and London-wide AM known for his robust defence of the Green Belt and opposition to imposed Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Neither of these though, appears poised to galvanise the broader coalition needed to unseat an entrenched incumbent. The party seems paralysed by indecision, a familiar Tory affliction that allows its opponents to seize the initiative.
This hesitation is particularly galling given the stakes, underlined by the latest Savanta poll for the Mile End Institute. It places Labour comfortably in front on 32 per cent, with the Conservatives on 20 per cent and Reform on 19 per cent – the right-wing vote split almost evenly, ensuring Khan remains the overwhelming favourite. London’s challenges – soaring crime, unaffordable housing, congested transport, and punitive green taxes – demand a unifying figure on the right. A divided vote between a Tory candidate and Cunningham would almost certainly gift victory to Labour, perpetuating Khan’s regime of virtue-signalling and vanity projects. The priority must be to oust him, not to indulge in ideological purity contests. If the Conservatives select a lacklustre option, voices on the right may quietly – or not so quietly – urge consolidation behind the stronger anti-Khan challenger.
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Ms Cunningham personally but chatting to Tory insiders who have worked with her on Westminster Council it’s fair to say that the reviews are not exactly glowing: they speak of organisational shortcomings and a certain indifference to minutiae. Yet these criticisms evoke an amusing parallel: do they not recall Boris Johnson, our most electorally successful recent mayor, whose chaotic style and occasional disregard for detail did not prevent him from transforming City Hall and winning multiple terms? Cunningham’s perceived flaws may, in fact, be features – a maverick energy unburdened by bureaucratic caution.
Moreover, unlike certain Reform colleagues, she has thus far navigated the spotlight without any major missteps. Consider Sarah Pochin the Reform MP, whose ill-judged remarks on television advertising demographics in 2025 sparked accusations of racism, forcing apologies and drawing unwelcome scrutiny to the party. Cunningham, by contrast, has maintained discipline, focusing relentlessly on crime, ULEZ abolition, and visible policing – messages that chime with many Londoners’ daily frustrations.
Reform’s early announcement is shrewd timing, positioning Cunningham as the face of their London campaign ahead of the May 2026 local elections.
Polls suggest the party could make gains in the capital, building momentum toward 2028. For Conservatives, the lesson is stark: tribal loyalty must yield to strategic realism. London cannot afford another term of Khan’s stewardship, with its attendant exodus of wealth creators and escalation of street crime. If unity eludes the right, the fault will lie squarely with those who prioritise party over principle.
A competitive, charismatic challenge is now on the table – the question is whether the Tories will rise to it, or once again squander the opportunity.