News

Beaten Tory candidates put trust in Zac Goldsmith’s ability to beat Sadiq Khan in London mayoral race

Two of the beaten candidates for the Conservative mayoral nomination are backing Zac Goldsmith in the race for City Hall.

London Assembly member Andrew Boff and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Stephen Greenhalgh said they believe Zac Goldsmith has got what it takes to beat Sadiq Khan.

Mr Goldsmith, the MP for Richard Park, won the Conservative nomination today after scooping 70.6% of the vote.

Mr Boff said: “It was a convincing win for Zac and we are all united behind him.

“Sadiq is an interesting candidate though I was underwhelmed by him at the Labour party conference.”

Stephen Greenhalgh said he has every faith in Mr Goldsmith but conceded that it wouldn’t be a walk in the park.

He said: “He [Zac] has every opportunity to win but it is not going to be easy.

“It is not going to be a coronation so it is important that we all unite behind Zac to get him into City Hall.”

Mr Goldsmith’s selection will see him take on Tooting MP and Labour’s candidate Sadiq Khan in the London elections next year.

The voting for the Conservative candidate closed on Wednesday to a disappointing turnout of just 9,227 compared to 87,884 who voted in the Labour mayoralty contest.

Mr Boff said of the turnout: “We could have done better and we should learn from this – it was more of a half-open primary than a fully open one.

“When I stand for the mayoralty next time hopefully we will have sorted it out.”

Related Articles