Latest Site News

[Qassändra]

Boris Johnson has ended months of speculation by saying he will "in all probability" seek to become an MP again at next year's general election.

The Conservative said he would also serve out the remainder of his term as London mayor, due to end in 2016.

Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said he would welcome a return to the Commons by Mr Johnson, who stood down as an MP in 2008.

He has been linked with the London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

The mayor said he was not necessarily seeking the Conservative nomination in that constituency, but he wanted to stop uncertainty about his intentions.

'Give it a crack'
There has long been speculation that Mr Johnson will seek a return to Parliament so that he can mount a bid for the Conservative leadership when David Cameron stands down.

The mayor was giving speech on his EU policy when he confirmed his intentions, in response to a question from a journalist.

He told an audience at the Bloomberg headquarters that he had "danced around" the issue "for an awfully long time", adding: "I can't endlessly go on dodging these questions."

"So let me put it this way. I haven't got any particular seat lined up but I do think in all probability I will try to find somewhere to stand in 2015.

"It may all go wrong but I think the likelihood is I am going to have to give it a crack."

Asked if his target seat would be within the M25 or in the north of England, he said: "This is a matter for the (local Conservative) association. I am not going to presume to talk about which seat I might go for."

'Surprised'
His announcement came at the end of a speech in which he said the UK should not be "afraid" of leaving the European Union if Mr Cameron fails to win a substantial renegotiation of the relationship with Brussels.

In March, the prime minister told the Sun newspaper he wanted Mr Johnson back in Parliament by 2015, comparing him to a "great striker you want on the pitch".

There is nothing to stop Mr Johnson serving out his term as mayor, which ends in May 2016, while also being an MP. His predecessor, Labour's Ken Livingstone, combined both roles for a year.

Mr Johnson, who served as MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008, was a Conservative education and culture spokesman before running for the mayoralty.

John Howell, who replaced Mr Johnson as MP for Henley, told BBC Radio Berkshire: "I'm just glad he's made up his mind. It did nobody any good when he was just sitting on the fence.

"I'm quite surprised. I thought he would see out a third time as London Mayor. He's done a very good job as mayor. There's no taking away from that and I was expecting him to stay on."

UGH