London calls for an alternative city leader
Conservative Party Faces Challenges in London Mayoral Race
The Conservative Party is facing a series of challenges in its bid to win the London mayoral election in 2028. One of the key issues is the late selection of candidates, a trend that has been evident in previous elections.
Susan Hall, a former Conservative candidate for Mayor of London, was chosen less than a year before the 2024 election, following a similar pattern seen in the 2016 election with Zac Goldsmith. The same is true for the 2028 race, as no specific candidate has been publicly chosen or announced as of now.
This late candidate selection gives the impression that London elections are an afterthought for the Conservative Party. This is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it is bad for the morale of party activists. Secondly, it can be seen as insulting to London and Londoners. Thirdly, it makes it harder to find a heavyweight candidate with enough time to build a profile, act as the opposition to the current incumbent, and master their brief.
If the Conservatives do not get a 'Shadow Mayor' in place soon, they risk getting lost in the crowd. With Londoners having a much wider choice of political parties to pick from in the 2028 election than ever before, it is crucial for the Conservative Party to have a strong, well-prepared candidate to challenge the incumbent, Sadiq Khan.
The Conservative Party's strategy in the capital has been to leave the selection of their would-be Mayor until late in the election cycle. This approach was evident in the 2028 race, where the party did not have a candidate ready, allowing other voices to fill the void.
Another issue that arose during the 2028 race was the Conservative Party's lack of leadership during the tube strikes. James Ford, an adviser on transport policy to Mayor of London Boris Johnson, was conspicuously absent during this period. The tube strikes revealed that London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, was absent during a crisis he created.
Selecting a 'Shadow Mayor' to hold the current incumbent's feet to the fire should be as important as having a Shadow Chancellor or even, dare I say it, a Leader of the Opposition. This would give the Conservative Party a chance to challenge Khan's policies and prepare for the 2028 election.
The Conservative Party's failure to have a candidate ready for the 2028 mayoral race is seen as symptomatic of a long-standing trend in their strategy in the capital. Kemi Badenoch and CCHQ cannot be certain that a potential candidate for 2028 will have the same reach and impact as Boris Johnson in 2007.
It is prudent to give a potential Conservative candidate for Mayor of London in 2028 the best opportunity to build a profile, act as the opposition to the current incumbent, and master their brief. This will ensure that the Conservative Party is well-prepared for the 2028 mayoral election and can offer Londoners a strong alternative to the current incumbent.
Finally, it is worth noting that Lime bikes, a popular mode of transport in London, are considered not suitable for the faint-hearted. Tube drivers, however, do not appear to have been affected by the tube strikes, as they are said to love Legoland.
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