Andy Burnham backs Sadiq Khan for fourth term as he slams Tory London mayor hopeful James Cleverly

Sir Sadiq Khan is expected to decide next year whether to stand for re-election as London Mayor in 2028

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He told The Standard: “If you look at the leadership on clean air, that is something that Sadiq deserves great credit for.

“Sometimes politicians take difficult decisions; they don't always get applauded at the time.

“But when that improves the health of millions of Londoners, then you've got to say one politician to another - that is leadership. I respect it.”

The PM added: “But he's done so much more as well. I could reel it all off.

“Sadiq is a really exceptional politician, a real leader, and absolutely, I'd love him to stay here as long as he wants, and I would certainly be behind him.”

Labour MP Dawn Butler

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If he decides not to stand, possible Labour candidates include Brent East MP Dawn Butler, former Foreign Secretary David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, and Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan.

Mr Burnham plans to move thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Whitehall jobs to the regions as part of his biggest ‘devolution of power in modern times”.

Sir James Cleverly resigned from the shadow cabinet to stand for Mayor of London

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But the PM rejected the “anti-London” allegation from Sir James, branding it “ludicrous”.

He added: “I love London, and I have no hesitation in saying that.”

“And the reason for that is because London has got more advanced housing powers.

“It's been able, with its 30 or so boroughs, to develop stronger plans to build a new generation of council housing in London.

“What we've done is we've set up London now with the funding to do that to be a template then for other parts of the country, so that they can follow the same path and then move in the same direction.”