First Tory 'big hitter' to throw hat in to be mayor

THE race to be the Conservative mayoral candidate ramped up today as Government frontbencher Paul Scully threw his hat into the ring

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Mr Scully, the minister for London, is the first MP to declare a wish to challenge Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, who is seeking a record third term next May. He is the seventh person to publicly seek the Tory nomination but arguably the first political “big hitter”. He claimed he had the support of a “significant” number of MPs and councillors.

He dismissed suggestions he was not well enough known to defeat Mr Khan, whose victories in 2016 and 2021 came with record majorities. He said: “This isn’t a celebrity election. Celebrity status doesn’t get houses built, doesn’t get transport moving, doesn’t make people safe. That is what I’m focusing on. I have delivered in four different departments in Government. I am about action, about changing the malaise we have from a Mayor who is deflecting, not delivering.”