London mayoral election: Zac Goldsmith ‘won’t be like Boris Johnson’

Mr Goldsmith, 40, said: “In the last seven years London has come a long way”.

Goldsmith said he would deliver more transport investment to prevent London “grinding to a halt” and also promised to “protect, enhance and improve access” to green spaces.

“This election is a referendum on London’s housing crisis, and I challenge Zac Goldsmith to join me in opposing the Tories” Housing Bill, which will make our city’s housing crisis many times worse’.

Richmond and Goldsmith MP Zac Goldsmith has been selected as Conservative candidate the London mayor elections in 2016, it was announced today (2 October), after winning 70% of the vote.

Johnson, who is stepping down as mayor after eight years next May, said: “I’m delighted for Zac – he’s principled, hard-working, and dedicated, he’s fizzing with ideas, and he’s passionate about London and its people”.

Mr Boff, Leader of the London Assembly Conservative Group, was in the running for the nomination to succeed Boris Johnson in 2016.

The London MP and environmentalist is up against the Labour MP Sadiq Khan, among others.

Mr Goldsmith sought permission of his 77,000 constituents before confirming his place in the contest to be the Conservative candidate, sending out a postal ballot to each household asking for their consent. Although he told LBC radio this morning that he supports David Cameron’s renegotiation “at the moment” he added that he would not say it is “likely” that the Prime Minister will negotiate enough changes to convince him to vote to remain in the European Union.

Polls suggest Khan has a healthy lead over Goldsmith in the race for city hall, with 50 per cent of those polled saying they’d back the Labour candidate over the millionaire Tory.

He said: “It’s certainly not going to be an easy fight”. He’ll face Labour’s Sadiq Khan in May’s election. “Obviously I want to do this”.

Mr Goldsmith said one of the key issues of the negotiations must be border control.