ConservativeHome's London Mayor blog

Could Lurline be Boris' deputy?

It was a shame that Lurline Champagnie didn't make it through to the shortlist. After getting over her obvious disappointment she's been "backing Boris" quite actively, attending the Back Boris launch and Monday's hustings in a supportive role and now formally as an adviser to the campaign.

Tottenham Conservatives Chairman Justin Hinchcliffe claims to know for certain that she will be appointed to be Boris' Deputy Mayor if he is selected and elected. I've spoken to a campaign representative and Lurline herself, and both deny such a decision has already been made, however.

Lurline would be a sensible appointment. She's put a lot of thought into London issues and would of course help to assuage any lingering doubts about Boris' views on race in voters' minds. The other remaining candidates might be disappointed about missing out on this role if they did lose out to Boris.

I don't want to get into speculation about these things too much though, Boris may be the frontrunner but he's failing to impress at the moment...

Deputy Editor

Lurline launches her campaign

Lurline Champagnie held a reception in Parliament yesterday to formally launch her campaign to be the Conservative candidate for Mayor. Her leaflets and manifesto never really mention the Conservative Party but she is known as a regular attendee and occasional speaker at party conference, and if there was any doubt at the launch - she had blue fingernails.

After reading out a very positive letter sent to her from Lord Tebbit she spoke about the failure of multiculturalism (and her Cosmopolitan Community vision), and her personal profile:

"I came to Britain from Jamaica in my late teens.  I did not expect patronizing handouts or any unfair advantage.  I worked; I worked and learnt; I developed skills as a specialist nurse; I succeeded and took on significant responsibility; I brought up my family; I started a highly successful business; and I have served my local community as a councillor for 20 years. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have lived a real life and, more to the point, I have succeeded – not only in accordance with Tory values, but because I embodied Tory values.  I have a life path and career that is real – I am not some plastic “inside the beltway” apparatchik.  Believe me, this is a distinction that is not lost on the public."

Download the speech here.

Andrew Rosindell MP sponsored the event as one of her high profile supporters, saying:

“I’m delighted that someone that has such clear Conservative views and is prepared to stand up for them is running for Mayor of London. I have known Lurline for 25 years. She’s got guts, determination and beliefs in all the right things. She’s told me that her first act as Mayor of London will be to raise the Union Jack above City Hall – something that Ken Livingstone has not been prepared to do and I think that she deserves the chance."

Nicholas Winterton MP, apparently spontaneously, was full of praise for the speech and strongly endorsed her campaign as a result of it. Lords, councillors, and MPs Brian Binley, Julian Lewis and Roger Gale also spoke in support of Lurline.

There was a photo-op afterwards on College Green:

She's certainly one of the strongest declared contenders for the Conservative nomination.

Deputy Editor