Conservative Mayoral Primary
Welcome to newstatesman.com’s coverage of the Conservative mayoral primary. For the first time London voters, regardless of political persuasion, can have a say in who will be the Tory candidate in the battle to run the capital. We want you to be as informed as possible when you decide who will go head-to-head with Ken Livingstone next year so to kick off we've asked the Tory hopefuls to outline their programmes.
Have your say!
Who should be the Conservative candidate for London mayor? You’ll have realised that Boris Johnson is in the running but did you know you can stop him before his campaign even gets underway?
In a radical departure registered voters in the capital are being offered the opportunity to choose the Tory who will go head-to-head with Ken Livingstone et al in 2008.
Even if you have no intention of voting Conservative in the actual contest you can have a say.
Of course it’s going to cost you. But by spending around £1.50 on a call to 0906 5555050 Londoners can secure a say on who, out of four candidates, will represent the Conservative cause.
As well as Boris there’s Victoria Borwick, Warwick Lightfoot and Andrew Boff.
Now it maybe that you think Boris is the man for you in which case you may want to back him to run in next year’s contest.
On the other hand the thought of hearing daily buffoonery from the Tory moptop may grate somewhat and push you in another direction.
Just in case we asked the other three candidates to outline just what they’d do if they took over the capital so you can make an informed choice as to which is better than Boris.
Naturally we asked Boris to take part but we understand he is on a fact-finding visit to America for much of August.
In the coming weeks there will be a series of hustings then the primary will be held closing on 26 September. The winner will be announced at the Tory conference.
Register and have your say.
Ben Davies Editor, newstatesman.com
Candidates
Boris Johnson. We're delighted...
- By Ben Davies
- 27 September
newstatesman.com's campaign to help the Conservative Party with its London mayoral primary sees Boris Johnson victorious ... for now
Who's backing Boris?
- 16 August
The race is on in the Conservative Mayoral Primary, with four candidates battling to stand against Ken Livingstone. We asked London Labour and Lib Dem MPs and the Green Party's candidate for London Mayor who they're backing...
Power to the people?
- By Andrew Boff
- 14 August
Andrew Boff says his main goal is democratic renewal including allowing Londoners the right to draw up their own policies. He will also support small businesses and promote family housing
Why I want to take on Ken
- By Victoria Borwick
- 14 August
Victoria Borwick wants to expose the shortcomings of Ken Livingstone's mayoralty, cut back on waste, ban the bendy bus but says tackling crime would be her top priority
Warwick's vision for London
- By Warwick Lightfoot
- 14 August
Warwick Lightfoot says London's strengths as an international and cosmopolitan centre are not matched by its public services which badly need reform or by employment levels
