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Zac Goldsmith chosen as Conservative London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith chosen as Conservative London mayoral candidate
(35 minutes later)
Zac Goldsmith will contest the 2016 London mayoral election for the Conservatives, it has been announced.Zac Goldsmith will contest the 2016 London mayoral election for the Conservatives, it has been announced.
The Richmond Park and North Kingston MP said he was "honoured" after winning 70% of the votes in an online primary election. The Richmond Park and North Kingston MP said he was "honoured" after winning 70% of the 9,227 votes cast using an online primary system.
He beat London Assembly Member Andrew Boff, MEP Syed Kamall and London's deputy mayor for crime and policing Stephen Greenhalgh.He beat London Assembly Member Andrew Boff, MEP Syed Kamall and London's deputy mayor for crime and policing Stephen Greenhalgh.
A total of 9,227 votes were cast for the four candidates. Mr Goldsmith's main rival is likely to be Labour's Sadiq Khan.
Mr Goldsmith, who was the favourite for the nomination, had balloted his constituents to seek permission to stand. Mr Khan beat former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell and a number of other current MPs to win the Labour nomination last month.
His main rival is likely to be Labour's Sadiq Khan. Caroline Pidgeon is the Lib Dem candidate, Sian Berry will contest the election for the Greens and UKIP has chosen its culture spokesman Peter Whittle. Former Respect MP George Galloway is also running.
Caroline Pidgeon is the Lib Dem candidate, Sian Berry will contest the election for the Greens and UKIP has chosen its culture spokesman Peter Whittle. Mr Goldsmith, who was the favourite for the Tory nomination, balloted his constituents earlier this year to seek permission to stand.
Analysis by Tim Donovan, BBC London political editor
At the very point of his entry into the race for London mayor, Zac Goldsmith's decision revealed two big characteristics.
Only a politician with an acute sense of accountability would have sought permission to stand through a ballot of his constituency members in Richmond and North Kingston.
Only someone with his personal wealth would have been able to afford the estimated £60,000 cost of doing it.
Both characteristics could come to feature heavily in the months to come.
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He won Friday's vote comfortably, getting 6,514 votes, more than the other three candidates combined.
Syed Kamall came second with 1,477 votes ahead of Stephen Greenhalgh (864) and Andrew Boff (372).
Speaking after being announced as the candidate, Mr Goldsmith - who first entered Parliament in 2010 - promised more transport investment to prevent London "grinding to a halt" and pledged to "protect, enhance and improve access" to green spaces.
He added: "But the biggest challenge of all is the housing crisis. Londoners are being priced out of their city and we will need a step change in the number of homes built, and the manner in which they are built."
Current mayor Boris Johnson will step down next year after two terms in office.Current mayor Boris Johnson will step down next year after two terms in office.
He announced he would continue as the mayor of London for one year after he was elected as the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in May.He announced he would continue as the mayor of London for one year after he was elected as the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in May.