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Boris Johnson considering third term as mayor of London Boris Johnson considering third term as mayor of London
(3 months later)
Boris Johnson has admitted he has been thinking about running for a third term as London mayor, despite previously insisting he would not serve more than eight years.Boris Johnson has admitted he has been thinking about running for a third term as London mayor, despite previously insisting he would not serve more than eight years.
Speaking on Tuesday on LBC's new phone-in show, Ask Boris, he said: "The truth is that there are so many things we are trying to do at the moment that I know I am not going to be able to get in in time for 2016 that it is becoming increasingly … I won't deny it, it is something I think about and something that I've even talked to friends about."Speaking on Tuesday on LBC's new phone-in show, Ask Boris, he said: "The truth is that there are so many things we are trying to do at the moment that I know I am not going to be able to get in in time for 2016 that it is becoming increasingly … I won't deny it, it is something I think about and something that I've even talked to friends about."
The hint of a change of heart came in response to a question asking whether he would make a good prime minister.The hint of a change of heart came in response to a question asking whether he would make a good prime minister.
Johnson, regarded as the most popular politician in the country, according to a recent poll – although it also found voters deemed him less capable of leading the country than David Cameron or Ed Miliband – did not answer the question directly. Instead, he said he was "totally absorbed" in his current job.Johnson, regarded as the most popular politician in the country, according to a recent poll – although it also found voters deemed him less capable of leading the country than David Cameron or Ed Miliband – did not answer the question directly. Instead, he said he was "totally absorbed" in his current job.
He joked that there would have to be a "reverse-Morsi" – a reference to the protests calling on the Egyptian president to stand down – in order for him to run for mayor again.He joked that there would have to be a "reverse-Morsi" – a reference to the protests calling on the Egyptian president to stand down – in order for him to run for mayor again.
However, having raised the prospect that he might go on, Johnson backtracked just as swiftly, saying: "The truth is, I'm stepping down in 2016. After that, who knows what will happen."However, having raised the prospect that he might go on, Johnson backtracked just as swiftly, saying: "The truth is, I'm stepping down in 2016. After that, who knows what will happen."
As well as being popular with the public, Johnson is believed to have substantial support among Tory MPs who fear Cameron is not capable of winning an outright majority at the next election. One of the reasons for his popularity within the party is that he is viewed as a Eurosceptic relative to the prime minister. But on his new show, he reiterated his support for a policy that is less popular with the Tory right – an amnesty for illegal immigrants who have been in the country for 12 years or more. "If you have been here for 10 or 12 years, I am afraid the authorities no longer pursue you, they just give up," he said. "Why not just be honest about it?"As well as being popular with the public, Johnson is believed to have substantial support among Tory MPs who fear Cameron is not capable of winning an outright majority at the next election. One of the reasons for his popularity within the party is that he is viewed as a Eurosceptic relative to the prime minister. But on his new show, he reiterated his support for a policy that is less popular with the Tory right – an amnesty for illegal immigrants who have been in the country for 12 years or more. "If you have been here for 10 or 12 years, I am afraid the authorities no longer pursue you, they just give up," he said. "Why not just be honest about it?"
Johnson was also asked on LBC about his letter published in the Times on Tuesday in support of fracking. "The thing is the clean gas does offer quite a clean source of power generation," he said. "All I'm saying is if we have these reserves in the south-east, for heaven's sake let's be grown up." He added that any environmental concerns would have to be considered.Johnson was also asked on LBC about his letter published in the Times on Tuesday in support of fracking. "The thing is the clean gas does offer quite a clean source of power generation," he said. "All I'm saying is if we have these reserves in the south-east, for heaven's sake let's be grown up." He added that any environmental concerns would have to be considered.
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