Johnson announces bid to be London mayor

Boris Johnson confirmed today he has put his name forward to stand as Conservative candidate for mayor of London.

Mr Johnson said he will remain MP for Henley while campaigning for the mayoralty, but he has resigned from his post as higher education spokesman in Conservative leader David Cameron’s frontbench team.

His announcement, after weeks of agonising, came just hours ahead of today’s noon deadline for applications to be considered for the Conservative nomination to stand against Labour’s Ken Livingstone in next year’s election.

More than 40 would-be candidates have submitted their names, and a committee will now whittle them down to a shortlist to go forwards to an open primary election, with voting in September. The party’s choice is expected to be unveiled at its annual autumn conference in Blackpool.

In a written statement, Mr Johnson said: “I am happy to confirm that I have today put my name forward to be the Conservative candidate for London mayor.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from so many people across London. I intend to remain an MP and will continue to represent the people of Henley, as I have done since 2001.

“I have, however, resigned from the front bench as shadow minister for higher education with immediate effect.

“London is an outstandingly varied and beautiful place and it deserves a proper debate. I want to bring fresh ideas to the capital and offer a new direction for Londoners.

“I believe that the mayor of London should keep things simple and direct his or her intellectual energy at the core problems that affect people’s everyday lives. I look forward to announcing my detailed proposals later in the summer, should I be fortunate enough to be shortlisted by the Conservative Party.

“Even the greatest cities have further greatness in them. I will stand for a greater London and for putting the smile back on London’s face.”

Mr Johnson’s decision to throw his hat into the ring comes as a boost to Mr Cameron, who had been struggling to find a high-profile candidate to take on Mr Livingstone.

He failed to persuade figures including Greg Dyke, John Major and Digby Jones to stand for the Tories, and was forced to delay the deadline for applications amid reports that no candidates of sufficient prominence had put themselves forward.

Although he has a reputation for gaffes and a complicated personal life, Mr Johnson is one of the Conservatives’ most popular and best-known faces, thanks in part to his appearances on TV shows such as Have I Got News For You.

A Conservative Party spokeswoman said the party would not be commenting publicly on Mr Johnson’s application, as it has not on those of other contenders.

The full list of would-be candidates will not be published, but the shortlist will be announced once the names of those going forward to the primary election are chosen.

The ballot to choose the Tory candidate, which ends on September 26, will be open to any voter registered in the capital, whether or not they are members of the Conservative Party.

The open primary system has been adopted by Mr Cameron as a means of boosting interest in his party’s candidate and winning broad public backing from Londoners behind the campaign.

Bookmakers shortened Tory odds for winning control at City Hall following Mr Johnson’s announcement.

Ladbrokes made the Conservatives 11/10 to win the 2008 mayoral election, trailing Labour on 8/11, but well ahead of the Liberal Democrats on 14/1.

Company spokesman Robin Hutchison said: “Given his time in office, the begrudging admiration a lot of Londoners have for him and his experience, Ken has to be favourite.

“But we are not taking any chances on the Tories, particularly if someone as popular as Boris gets the gig.”

Meanwhile, William Hill slashed the odds on Mr Johnson becoming mayor from 8/1 to 2/1.