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Boris Johnson 'stands for mayor' Boris Johnson 'stands for mayor'
(10 minutes later)
Boris Johnson is to enter the race to be the Conservative candidate for London mayor in next year's election.Boris Johnson is to enter the race to be the Conservative candidate for London mayor in next year's election.
Mr Johnson, one of the best known MPs, told London's Evening Standard he wants to take on Labour's Ken Livingstone.Mr Johnson, one of the best known MPs, told London's Evening Standard he wants to take on Labour's Ken Livingstone.
He told the paper: "The opportunity is too great and the prize too wonderful to miss... the chance to represent London and speak for Londoners."He told the paper: "The opportunity is too great and the prize too wonderful to miss... the chance to represent London and speak for Londoners."
Mr Johnson is likely to face a number of rivals to be Conservative candidate. The Tory deadline for hopefuls is noon.Mr Johnson is likely to face a number of rivals to be Conservative candidate. The Tory deadline for hopefuls is noon.
It brings to an end a long search by the Conservatives for a big name candidate with a realistic chance of beating Ken Livingstone.It brings to an end a long search by the Conservatives for a big name candidate with a realistic chance of beating Ken Livingstone.
Previous possible runners have included Greg Dyke, Digby Jones, Nick Ferrari, Lord Stevens and Sir John Major.Previous possible runners have included Greg Dyke, Digby Jones, Nick Ferrari, Lord Stevens and Sir John Major.
Mr Livingstone - who was elected London's first mayor as an independent and then won a second term after being allowed back into the Labour Party - has said he wants a third term.Mr Livingstone - who was elected London's first mayor as an independent and then won a second term after being allowed back into the Labour Party - has said he wants a third term.
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Like Mr Johnson the current mayor is a politician with a high media and public profile.Like Mr Johnson the current mayor is a politician with a high media and public profile.
Mr Johnson will first have to win over voters in London to become the Conservative candidate.Mr Johnson will first have to win over voters in London to become the Conservative candidate.
In April the party set out a five-month timetable to find a candidate - shortlisting applicants to go on to an "open primary" - with all Londoners on the electoral roll being allowed to vote.In April the party set out a five-month timetable to find a candidate - shortlisting applicants to go on to an "open primary" - with all Londoners on the electoral roll being allowed to vote.
The deadline for applications is Monday, with a shortlist drawn up by 3 August.The deadline for applications is Monday, with a shortlist drawn up by 3 August.
After a series of hustings, the primary will be held, closing on 26 September.After a series of hustings, the primary will be held, closing on 26 September.
The winner will be announced at the Tory conference in September.The winner will be announced at the Tory conference in September.
Mr Johnson is the shadow higher education minister and was previously editor of the Spectator magazine.Mr Johnson is the shadow higher education minister and was previously editor of the Spectator magazine.
He has been a frequent guest on television shows such as Have I got News for You, and has come under fire in Liverpool and Portsmouth for critical comments he made about the cities.He has been a frequent guest on television shows such as Have I got News for You, and has come under fire in Liverpool and Portsmouth for critical comments he made about the cities.