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Boris Johnson urges LBC’s Nick Ferrari to go for the job of London mayor Boris Johnson urges LBC’s Nick Ferrari to go for the job of London mayor
(1 day later)
Boris Johnson is one of a number of senior Conservatives seeking to persuade the radio presenter Nick Ferrari to stand as the party’s candidate for London mayor.Boris Johnson is one of a number of senior Conservatives seeking to persuade the radio presenter Nick Ferrari to stand as the party’s candidate for London mayor.
Ferrari is considering the move, although when he was asked to do the job by David Cameron in 2006 he joked that he “couldn’t take the pay cut”.Ferrari is considering the move, although when he was asked to do the job by David Cameron in 2006 he joked that he “couldn’t take the pay cut”.
A senior Tory party source confirmed that the LBC presenter, and former newspaper executive, had again been approached by Tory officials for the 2016 London mayoral election. However, they admitted to concerns that he would not be willing to give up his job in the media, and a lucrative sideline on the speech-making circuit.A senior Tory party source confirmed that the LBC presenter, and former newspaper executive, had again been approached by Tory officials for the 2016 London mayoral election. However, they admitted to concerns that he would not be willing to give up his job in the media, and a lucrative sideline on the speech-making circuit.
It is understood that Johnson, the current mayor and MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, nevertheless believes Ferrari, who is a personal friend, would be an ideal candidate. Ferrari’s strengths include his strong public following. However, he would also be open to criticism for some of his controversial stances.It is understood that Johnson, the current mayor and MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, nevertheless believes Ferrari, who is a personal friend, would be an ideal candidate. Ferrari’s strengths include his strong public following. However, he would also be open to criticism for some of his controversial stances.
In 2003 the Broadcasting Standards Commission upheld a complaint against Ferrari, finding that his LBC programme’s “active reinforcement of prejudiced views about asylum seekers had exceeded acceptable boundaries for transmission”.In 2003 the Broadcasting Standards Commission upheld a complaint against Ferrari, finding that his LBC programme’s “active reinforcement of prejudiced views about asylum seekers had exceeded acceptable boundaries for transmission”.
Following one of the leadership debates ahead of the general election, he wrote of the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, in his Sunday Express column: “Much of his message, like his party’s manifesto, hit the spot.Following one of the leadership debates ahead of the general election, he wrote of the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, in his Sunday Express column: “Much of his message, like his party’s manifesto, hit the spot.
“Whatever happens in 18 days’ time we all owe a huge debt to Ukip and its remarkably headstrong determination to address any issue that came its way and leave a trail of sacrificial cows in its wake.”“Whatever happens in 18 days’ time we all owe a huge debt to Ukip and its remarkably headstrong determination to address any issue that came its way and leave a trail of sacrificial cows in its wake.”
If Ferrari were to announce his candidacy, it is likely that his main opponent in a Tory primary would be Zac Goldsmith. Last week friends of the Conservative MP said Goldsmith would probably stand.If Ferrari were to announce his candidacy, it is likely that his main opponent in a Tory primary would be Zac Goldsmith. Last week friends of the Conservative MP said Goldsmith would probably stand.
Goldsmith, the son of the late billionaire financier and arch-eurosceptic Sir James Goldsmith, has repeatedly suggested he was content to be an MP, and has told friends that he would prefer to wait until 2020 before standing. However, figures including the former Tory mayoral candidate Steven Norris have been urging him to reconsider.Goldsmith, the son of the late billionaire financier and arch-eurosceptic Sir James Goldsmith, has repeatedly suggested he was content to be an MP, and has told friends that he would prefer to wait until 2020 before standing. However, figures including the former Tory mayoral candidate Steven Norris have been urging him to reconsider.
David Lammy MP, one of the Labour mayoral hopefuls, tweeted last week: “Zac Goldsmith now [favourite] to be Tory mayoral candidate. He has broad appeal across London. To win, Labour needs a candidate who has the same.”David Lammy MP, one of the Labour mayoral hopefuls, tweeted last week: “Zac Goldsmith now [favourite] to be Tory mayoral candidate. He has broad appeal across London. To win, Labour needs a candidate who has the same.”
One potential obstacle to a Goldsmith run would be if the government decides to expand Heathrow. He has said that he would refuse to either serve or stand as a Conservative politician if the government gave Heathrow expansion the go-ahead. As reported by politics.co.uk, one potential obstacle to a Goldsmith run would be if the government decides to expand Heathrow. He has said that he would refuse to either serve or stand as a Conservative politician if the government gave Heathrow expansion the go-ahead.
Johnson’s policing deputy, Stephen Greenhalgh, launched his campaign for mayor last year, followed by millionaire businessman Ivan Massow. The leader of the London Assembly Tories, Andrew Boff, also plans to stand.Johnson’s policing deputy, Stephen Greenhalgh, launched his campaign for mayor last year, followed by millionaire businessman Ivan Massow. The leader of the London Assembly Tories, Andrew Boff, also plans to stand.
There is no clear process for when and how the Conservative candidate will be selected. The winner will likely be chosen by party members in London later in the autumn.There is no clear process for when and how the Conservative candidate will be selected. The winner will likely be chosen by party members in London later in the autumn.
On the Labour side, those who wish to be the party’s candidate include former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell and, along with Lammy, the MPs Sadiq Khan, Gareth Thomas and Diane Abbott. The journalist Christian Wolmar is also seeking to represent Labour, which will decide on its candidate in mid-July. The Respect party leader, George Galloway, wants to run as an independent.On the Labour side, those who wish to be the party’s candidate include former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell and, along with Lammy, the MPs Sadiq Khan, Gareth Thomas and Diane Abbott. The journalist Christian Wolmar is also seeking to represent Labour, which will decide on its candidate in mid-July. The Respect party leader, George Galloway, wants to run as an independent.