Sadiq Khan could lose his bid for a third term as mayor of London, says Stephen Norris. Credit: Andrew Milligan/AFP via Getty Images
Sadiq Khan is 'hopelessly defeated' in next year's London mayoral election, the first Conservative candidate for the role has said.
Stephen Norris, who was the Conservative candidate in 2000 and 2004, said that a combination of discontent in the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) and the Labor mayor's personal unpopularity meant he could be defeated in May 2024 by a candidate who was » recognized by the public» to ensure he is ousted.
With the end of the local elections in England, the race for the Conservatives to take on Mr Khan will now begin in earnest.
2023 local election results .
Mr Norris, a former MP and transport minister, noted that the Labor mayor is entering his third term, a feat that has not been achieved since the mayor's office was established in 2000.
« Here's a guy going to a third term who can actually be beaten… I think he's being beaten desperately,» he told The Telegraph.
He said Mr Khan's 'divisive' plan to expand the £12.50 a day levy scheme for vehicles that don't meet emission standards has alienated traditional Labor voters.
«Here's a Labor mayor who doesn't tax me because all my cars are luxurious enough that they don't have to pay Ulez, but who taxes people for being poor,» he said.«There are a lot of people who are not wealthy at all, who need a van or car to work and can't afford to upgrade it.»
Mr Norris, who twice unsuccessfully fought Ken Livingston for the post the mayor said that Mr. Khan was «not popular» in the capital.
According to a YouGov poll last month, half of all Londoners think that Khan is doing a 'bad' job as mayor. Ken and Boris, whatever you think,” he said. candidate
However, Mr. Norris said the Conservatives would have to pick the right candidate to win.
“He can only be defeated if the Tories have a candidate who can really be recognized by the public and what the public likes more,” he said.
“Do they need to know this person now? No, not necessarily. But it would clearly be much preferable if they were someone people would recognize and therefore could at least impress voters in advance.”
Currently, three candidates have officially announced their intending to seek the nomination: London Assembly members Andrew Boff and Nick Rogers, and Samuel Kasumu, former Councilor #10.
The Telegraph reported last week that the Tories were on the hunt for a «famous» celebrity candidate who would run against Mr Khan.
But Mr Norris said it has always been difficult to get celebrities or big-name business people throw your hat into the ring.< /p>
«The trouble with politics these days is that it's such an unattractive proposition in general, and it's very hard to campaign for mayor of London,» he said.< /p>
“You want this celebrity to potentially ruin their reputation so that half the city hates them, which also happens to get into tough fights where you have to say ‘no, you’re wrong’ where you have to fight your way through a group of people who trying to stop you from going to an event?
«I've done all of this and it's even worse now than it was 20 years ago.»
Among the wider range of candidates who were rumored to be interested, he singled out Paul Scully, a London minister, and Justin Greening, a former MP and cabinet minister.
He said that Mr Scully was «a man who demands who is certainly not a household name, but nevertheless appeared on TV a lot in London» and was «of the size» to «fight the Khan.»
He said that Ms. Greening would also be a formidable candidate, even though she had her Tory whip revoked for voting against a no-deal Brexit.
“Justine did have problems with the party towards the end because of for her positions on Brexit. , but nevertheless, she is definitely attuned to the values that I share,» he said.
«If she were the Conservative candidate, I think she would be fantastic. A woman opposing Khan will make life very difficult for him.”
He added: “We need a decent, likeable, experienced candidate who people will at least know about and relate to. with some respect and treat them as a serious alternative.”
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