At an Ealing Central and Acton Conservatives event in Ealing last night with David Cameron and Angie Bray, London Assembly member Richard Barnes declared that he was pulling out of the mayoral race and backing Boris Johnson.
Given the expectations surrounding Boris' candidacy it is unlikely that Richard will be the only candidate to pull out in favour of the hot favourite. But let's hope that they don't all do so; as ConservativeHome has argued a competitive race will be good for the Party, it would raise our profile and ensure that our eventual candidate had been tested.
Update: Mike Read has pulled out and is backing Boris.
Associate Editor
And don't forget that Mike Read has also come out and backed Boris for the job (see the Guardian article he wrote).
With big political heavyweights like Mike Read backing him, Boris can't go wrong. I've heard Bruno Brookes and Pat Sharp are also thinking of backing him.
Posted by: Michael Davidson | July 17, 2007 at 15:13
Thanks Michael, have added the link.
Posted by: Associate Editor | July 17, 2007 at 15:29
"With big political heavyweights like Mike Read backing him, Boris can't go wrong. I've heard Bruno Brookes and Pat Sharp are also thinking of backing him."
LOL! I hear the crucial endorsement of Tony Blackburn is still up for grabs though...
Posted by: Daniel VA | July 17, 2007 at 16:53
It looks like the party might be putting all of its eggs in a very unsteady and uncertain basket.
Posted by: london conservative | July 17, 2007 at 17:08
I think we can also assume that Mike Read will be able to 'deliver' the vote of 'diddy' David Hamilton for Boris too.
The voting intentions of Dave Lee Travis, Ed 'stewpot' Stewart, and the other Radio 1 DJ's from the '70's/80's are sadly unknown.
Posted by: malcolm | July 17, 2007 at 17:19
OK troops, please adjust your heads.
We have spent 12 months watching a parade of worthy but stupifyingly dull candidates with no profile trying to lever themselves onto a bigger stage and failing.
Our campaign for Mayor was over - until the moment a big name stepped forward. Now we have a credible candidate with real name recognition let's get the show on the road, forget this crap about asking non-tories to choose our candidate, adopt Boris and start duffing up the left-wing nut who runs our city.
Posted by: Treacle | July 17, 2007 at 18:46
This is a shame, as we're going to need a strong alternative to either a) push Boris all the way and sharpen him up, or b) be there to pick up the pieces should Boris have one gaffe too many.
If Boris crashed and burnt (which I hope he doesn't) then any of the current remaining candidates would be appalling- so let's hope the good ship Boris steers a sensible course.
Posted by: Alex Crowley | July 17, 2007 at 18:51
If you were ever slightly embarrassed by right-wing comments on Guido or Iain, check out the reaction to Mike Read on the Guardian's Comment is Free.
Posted by: john | July 17, 2007 at 23:22